Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Nolan Arenado

How Nolan Arenado built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Nolan Arenado is an American professional baseball third baseman, currently playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is renowned for his exceptional defense, having won a Rawlings Gold Glove Award in each of his first ten MLB seasons, a feat unmatched by any other infielder. Arenado debuted in MLB in 2013 with the Colorado Rockies and later played for the St. Louis Cardinals where he, alongside teammate Paul Goldschmidt, were both National League MVP finalists in 2022. He was traded to the Diamondbacks in January 2026.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1957: First AL Gold Glove Winner

In 1957, Frank Malzone won the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, becoming the first to win in the American League.

2009: Professional Debut with Casper Ghosts

In 2009, Nolan Arenado signed with the Rockies instead of attending ASU, making his professional baseball debut with the Casper Ghosts of the Rookie-level Pioneer League.

2009: Drafted by the Rockies

In 2009, Nolan Arenado was selected by the Rockies in the second round of the MLB draft after attending El Toro High School.

July 31, 2010: Carlos González Hits for the Cycle

On July 31, 2010, Arenado's teammate Carlos González hit for the cycle.

2010: Played for Asheville Tourists

In 2010, Nolan Arenado played for the Asheville Tourists of the Single-A South Atlantic League, posting a .308 batting average and 41 doubles.

2011: Baseball America Ranking

Before the 2011 season, Baseball America ranked Nolan Arenado as the Rockies' third-best prospect and 80th overall.

2011: Minor League RBI Leader

In 2011, Nolan Arenado led the minor leagues in RBI with 155 over 163 games.

2011: All-Star Futures Game Selection and Minor League Stats

In 2011, Nolan Arenado represented the Rockies at the All-Star Futures Game and finished the season leading the minor leagues with 122 RBI. He was also named the MVP of the Arizona Fall League (AFL).

2012: All-Star Futures Game Appearance

In 2012, Nolan Arenado was named to appear in the All-Star Futures Game while playing for the Tulsa Drillers of the Double-A Texas League.

October 29, 2013: First Gold Glove Award

On October 29, 2013, Nolan Arenado became the first NL rookie to win a Rawlings Gold Glove Award at third base.

2013: Promotion to Major League Club

Despite a strong spring training showing in 2013, Nolan Arenado was initially optioned to Triple-A but was promoted to the major league club in April after batting .364 with Colorado Springs.

2013: MLB Debut with the Colorado Rockies

In 2013, Nolan Arenado made his Major League Baseball debut with the Colorado Rockies.

April 5, 2014: First Multi-Home Run Game

On April 5, 2014, Nolan Arenado had the first multi-home run game of his career against Brandon McCarthy of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

November 2015: New Agent: Joel Wolfe

In November 2015, it was reported that Nolan Arenado changed his agent from Scott Boras to Joel Wolfe of Wasserman Media Group.

2015: Arenado's Season Performance in 2015

In 2015, Nolan Arenado had a strong season, doubling his number of walks from the previous year. In 2015, Arenado received 102 MVP vote points.

2015: NL Home Run and RBI Leader

In 2015, Nolan Arenado tied for the NL home run title with 42, and led the National League with 130 RBI and 354 total bases. He also won his first Silver Slugger Award.

2015: All-Star Selection and Player of the Month Award

In 2015, Nolan Arenado was named an MLB All-Star, earned his second NL Player of the Week Award on June 28, and won his first NL Player of the Month award in September.

2015: Awards and MVP Award Consideration

In 2015, Nolan Arenado won his third consecutive Gold Glove, the Fielding Bible, and the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award. He also received official consideration for the NL MVP Award, ranking eighth in voting.

2015: Salary in 2015

In 2015, Nolan Arenado's salary was $512,000.

2015: MLB RBI Leader

Since the start of the 2015 season, Nolan Arenado leads all major leaguers in Runs Batted In (RBI).

January 15, 2016: Salary Arbitration Agreement

On January 15, 2016, Nolan Arenado and the Rockies avoided salary arbitration, agreeing to a one-year, $5 million contract.

2016: Youngest Rockies Player to Reach 100 Home Runs

In 2016, Nolan Arenado became the youngest player in Rockies franchise history to reach 100 home runs.

2016: Arenado's Season Performance in 2016

In 2016, Nolan Arenado had a great season, finishing with a .294 batting average, leading the MLB with 133 RBI, and winning his fourth consecutive Gold Glove. Arenado finished fifth in the NL MVP Award voting, receiving almost double the vote points (199) as in 2015.

2016: Vin Scully Autographs Arenado's Bat

In 2016, during Vin Scully's final season of broadcasting and his last series of calling Dodgers' home games, he autographed the bat with which Nolan Arenado hit his 40th home run.

January 13, 2017: Arenado and Rockies Avoid Arbitration

On January 13, 2017, Nolan Arenado and the Rockies agreed to a two-year, $29.5 million contract, avoiding arbitration for the second straight year.

March 22, 2017: Team USA Wins World Baseball Classic

On March 22, 2017, Team USA, including Nolan Arenado, defeated Puerto Rico to win their first-ever World Baseball Classic championship.

June 18, 2017: First Career Cycle

On June 18, 2017, Nolan Arenado hit for the cycle for the first time in his career.

2017: World Baseball Classic Gold Medal

In 2017, Nolan Arenado helped Team USA win their first World Baseball Classic (WBC) gold medal.

2019: Teammates with cousin Josh Fuentes

In 2019, Nolan Arenado was teammates with his cousin, Josh Fuentes, on the Rockies.

2020: Teammates with cousin Josh Fuentes

In 2020, Nolan Arenado was teammates with his cousin, Josh Fuentes, on the Rockies.

2021: Trade to the St. Louis Cardinals

Before the 2021 season, Nolan Arenado was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals.

July 1, 2022: Second Career Cycle

On July 1, 2022, Nolan Arenado hit for the cycle for the second time in his career, finishing it off with a walk-off home run.

July 2, 2022: Cardinals Hit Four Consecutive Home Runs

On July 2, 2022, Nolan Arenado started a sequence of four consecutive home runs for the Cardinals, the first time the team had ever accomplished the feat. Arenado also won the game in the ninth inning with his second home run, which was also his 5,000th career at-bat.