Although he has gone yard eight times on the season, Tampa Bay star Randy Arozarena has been mired in a season long slump that sees him hitting a paltry .169. The native of Pinar del Río, Cuba has shown some signs of life with the bat recently hitting a solid .278 and driving in eight runs over his last seven games.
Coming off three straight 20-20 seasons the outfielder is confident that he will right the ship before season’s end. For Arozarena his affinity for México runs deep, the Cuban made his professional debut in the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol in 2016 with the fabled Tijuana Toros and saw action in the 2023 World Baseball Classic for the country.
Due to his cult figure status Arozarena has always longed for a return to the playing fields of the Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico, where he led the circuit in homeruns during the 2017-2018 season with the Mayos de Navojoa. He recently spoke very favorably on the subject during the preseason Dominican Series versus the Boston Red Sox. Mexican baseball fans hope this will be the season that Arozarena returns to their circuit.
How has the change in swing affected your performance this year?
I don’t know if it has changed, I don’t notice the change.
I see you more patient at the plate. What adjustments have you made in the last month?
The truth is none. I have continued training as I have always done since I started playing in the majors and preparing myself as usual so that things go well for me on the field.
You have played in a World Classic, you have been MVP in the postseason. What other feats does Randy Arozarena want to accomplish in his career?
I want to win a World Series. A World Series is what every player longs for, and I hope to win one in the near future.
You have mentioned on a few occasions that you like playing winter baseball. Will we see you playing some winter ball this season?
I don’t know if this season or the next one, but I want to return to Liga ARCO once again to play the winter league there.
With Navojoa?
I don’t know if with Navojoa or another team, but I would like to play winter league again.