Nolan Arenado is on the way to become the best third baseman of his generation. During his 10-year career he has won 10 gold gloves, 6, platinum gloves, 5 silver sluggers and been selected to the All-Star Game eight times. This season the third baseman reached two milestones, 300 homeruns and 1,000 runs batted in. Arenado also has over 1,500 hits in his career.
This season he got off to a slow start but after a blazing May and June with the bat he was selected to start the mid-summer classic later this month in Seattle. As of today Arenado is hitting a slashing a solid .275/.322/.486/.807 with 16 longballs and 55 RBIs.
At the pace he is going at the plate since May expect an eighth 30-100 season and gold glove at the hot corner from the Californian. Entering the prime of his career Nolan Arenado is already in all-time in our nation’s pastime.
Hablamos con Nolan Arenado sobre su selección al juego de estrellas y también me dio su decisión sobre una posible incorporación con Cuba en un evento internacional. #pelotacubana #STLCards pic.twitter.com/ZDQIOlQCv3
— Yusseff305 🇨🇺🇺🇲 (@yusseff305) July 5, 2023
This your eighth All-Star selection, how does that make you feel?
It feels good you know, but this year it’s been a long road to get here. I didn’t think it would be possible, especially the way I started the season. I’m just happy I got better as the year progressed, I give a lot of credit to my coaches and teammates for helping me get here. To make it this year feels good because I didn’t think I was going to make it.
You reunite in this series with your old bench coach Skip Schumacher, tell us about that?
Awe man, he’s awesome and I’m not surprised the Marlins are playing well this year. They have a good talent over there, but Skips a great leader and we miss him dearly over here. He’s a great guy and a good friend. I also have a lot of respect for him as a coach and the way he goes about his business. I’m happy he’s doing well in Miami.
You reached 300 homeruns and 1,000 runs batted in this season. Do you any other goals for the rest of the campaign?
Yes, I want us to find a way to get into the playoffs, if we can and I want to just continue to stay healthy. If those things happen I can make things happen.
Being of Cuban descent how did it feel to play against Cuba in the World Baseball Classic?
It was a very crazy game. We won by a lot, which was nice. But the political aspect of the game was crazy. Seeing all the people demonstrations and all the people standing up for the things that are going on there that they don’t like added a different twist to the game. My family was also here to watch the game and I enjoyed winning, but it’s more than just a game. I’m praying for the people of Cuba and those players. I sincerely hope they are all okay.
Piggybacking off that question. Would you ever play for Cuba in an international event now that the Cuban Federation has lifted its ban on Cuban-American players?
I would have talk to my parents and my family about it and see what they say. But as of right now I’m assuming that they would say no until things change there.