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 St. Louis Cardinals. He debuted with the Colorado Rockies in 2013 before being traded to the Cardinals. Arenado is renowned for his exceptional defensive skills at third base, having won the Rawlings Gold Glove Award in each of his first ten MLB seasons, making him the only infielder to achieve this feat.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2009: Drafted by the Rockies

In 2009, Nolan Arenado was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the second round of the MLB draft.

July 31, 2010: Last Rockies player to hit for cycle

On July 31, 2010, Carlos Gonzalez hit for cycle for the Rockies.

2010: Played for Asheville Tourists

In 2010, Nolan Arenado played for the Asheville Tourists of the Class A South Atlantic League, achieving a .308 batting average and hitting 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, noting his hitting ability while focusing on improving his defense with manager Jerry Weinstein.

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

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

2012: Named to All-Star Futures Game

In 2012, Nolan Arenado played for the Tulsa Drillers of the Class AA Texas League and was again named to appear in the All-Star Futures Game.

October 29, 2013: First Gold Glove Award

On October 29, 2013, Nolan Arenado became the first National League (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 Colorado Rockies major league club after performing well with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.

2013: MLB Debut with Colorado Rockies

In 2013, Nolan Arenado made his Major League Baseball (MLB) 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.

2015: Named All-Star

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

2015: Finished with 102 points in NL MVP

In 2015, Nolan Arenado finished with 102 points in the NL MVP award voting.

2015: Won Fielding Bible and Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Awards

In 2015, Nolan Arenado won his third consecutive Gold Glove, and, for the first time, was the major league-wide winner among third basemen for both the Fielding Bible and the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Awards.

2015: Previous salary before arbitration

In 2015, Nolan Arenado's salary was $512,000 before agreeing to a one-year, $5 million contract for 2016.

January 15, 2016: Avoided Salary Arbitration

On January 15, 2016, Nolan Arenado and the Rockies avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5 million contract, which was a raise from his $512,000 salary in 2015.

2016: Youngest Rockies Player to 100 Home Runs

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

2016: Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Winner

In 2016, Nolan Arenado won his fourth consecutive Gold Glove at third base and his second Silver Slugger Award.

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 contract worth $29.5 million.

March 22, 2017: Team USA wins World Baseball Classic

On March 22, 2017, Team USA defeated Puerto Rico 8-0 to win the World Baseball Classic for the first time.

June 18, 2017: Hit for the Cycle

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

2017: Reached 100 RBI for Third Consecutive Year

In 2017, Nolan Arenado became the first major leaguer to reach 100 RBI for the third year in a row. In 112 games, and he batted .441 and 77 RBI with runners in scoring position (RISP) in those 112 games.

2017: Won Gold Medal with Team USA in WBC

In 2017, Nolan Arenado played for the United States national team in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), helping the team win its first gold medal in a WBC tournament.

2018: Received salary of $17,750,000

In 2018, Nolan Arenado received $17,750,000 salary as part of a 2-year contract with the Colorado Rockies.

2021: Trade to St. Louis Cardinals

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

July 1, 2022: Second Cycle

On July 1, 2022, Nolan Arenado hit for the cycle for the second time in his career.

July 2, 2022: Hitting consecutive home runs with teammates

On July 2, 2022, Arenado was part of a historic moment when he and three of his Cardinals teammates (Nolan Gorman, Juan Yepez, and Dylan Carlson) hit four consecutive home runs in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves. Arenado also hit another home run later in the game to win it for St. Louis, marking his 5,000th career at-bat.

October 29, 2022: Arenado remains with the Cardinals through 2027

On October 29, 2022, Nolan Arenado informed the Cardinals that he would not opt out of his contract and would remain in St. Louis through the 2027 season.