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 a highly acclaimed American professional baseball third baseman currently playing for the St. Louis Cardinals. Renowned for his exceptional defense, he's the only infielder to win a Rawlings Gold Glove Award in each of his first ten MLB seasons. He debuted with the Colorado Rockies in 2013 before being traded to the Cardinals in 2021. His defensive prowess places him among the best third basemen in MLB history.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1957: Frank Malzone Won Rawlings Gold Glove Award

In 1957, Frank Malzone won the Rawlings Gold Glove Award in the American League. This was the last time that a player had won a Rawlings Gold Glove Award as a rookie until Nolan Arenado's achievement in 2013.

1996: Galarraga led majors in RBI

In 1996, Andrés Galarraga led the majors in RBI with 150. Arenado was the first to do it since then in 2015.

1997: Larry Walker led NL in home runs

Larry Walker led the NL in home runs with 49 in 1997. This was the first time a Rockies player had led the NL in home runs until Arenado in 2015.

1999: Chipper Jones sets record for extra base hits

In 1999, Chipper Jones had 87 extra base hits, which Arenado surpassed in 2015 with 89, setting a major league record.

2009: Selected in the MLB draft

In 2009, the Colorado Rockies selected Nolan Arenado in the second round with the 59th overall selection of the MLB draft. He signed with the Rockies and made his professional baseball debut with the Casper Ghosts of the Rookie-level Pioneer League.

July 31, 2010: Carlos Gonzalez hits a walk off home run

Carlos Gonzalez was the previous Rockies player to complete the cycle with a walk-off home run. This happened on July 31, 2010.

2010: Played for the Asheville Tourists

In 2010, Nolan Arenado played for the Asheville Tourists of the Class A South Atlantic League, where he posted a .308 batting average and 41 doubles.

2011: Ranked as Rockies' third-best prospect

Before the 2011 season, Baseball America ranked Nolan Arenado as the Rockies' third-best prospect and 80th overall. During this season, he improved his defense while playing for the Modesto Nuts.

2011: All-Star Futures Game selection

In 2011, Nolan Arenado was selected to the All-Star Futures Game. He finished the season leading the minor leagues with 122 RBI and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Arizona Fall League (AFL).

2012: Named to All-Star Futures Game

In 2012, Nolan Arenado played for the Tulsa Drillers and was again named to appear in the All-Star Futures Game. He finished the year with a .285 batting average, 12 home runs, and 56 RBI.

October 29, 2013: Won Rawlings 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: Promoted to Major League Club

Despite starting the 2013 season in the minor leagues, Nolan Arenado was promoted to the major league club after batting .364 with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. He was promoted to the major league club on April 28, 2013.

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, contributing to a 9–4 Rockies win.

2015: Previous salary

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

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

In 2015, Nolan Arenado earned his second NL Player of the Week Award on June 28 and became an MLB All-Star for the first time as a National League reserve.

2015: Home run title

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

2015: Defensive Awards and Hall of Fame Recognition

In 2015, Nolan Arenado won his third consecutive Gold Glove, and both the Fielding Bible and Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Awards. He was also named the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame's Professional Athlete of the Year.

January 15, 2016: Avoided Salary Arbitration

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

2016: Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards

In 2016, Nolan Arenado won his fourth consecutive Gold Glove, as well as his second Silver Slugger, Fielding Bible and Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Awards. He also finished in fifth place in the NL MVP Award voting.

January 13, 2017: Avoided arbitration with Rockies

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

March 22, 2017: Team USA wins World Baseball Classic

On March 22, 2017, Nolan Arenado played for Team USA, who won 8–0 against Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, marking the first time the United States won the WBC.

June 18, 2017: Hit for the cycle

On June 18, 2017, Nolan Arenado hit for the cycle against the San Francisco Giants, completing it with a walk-off home run off Mark Melancon in a 7−5 Rockies win.

2018: Arenado received $17,750,000

In 2018 Arenado received $17,750,000 as part of the two-year contract agreement with the Rockies.

February 26, 2019: Signs contract extension with Rockies

On February 26, 2019, Nolan Arenado agreed to an eight-year, $260 million contract extension with the Rockies.

July 2, 2022: Hits First of Four Consecutive Home Runs

On July 2, 2022, Nolan Arenado hit the first of four consecutive home runs for the Cardinals. Teammates Nolan Gorman, Juan Yepez and Dylan Carlson followed with home runs in the first inning. Arenado later won the game in the ninth inning with his second home run of the game.