MARLINS ACQUIRE AMERICAN LEAGUE BATTING CHAMPION, SILVER SLUGGER, AND ALL-STAR INFIELDER LUIS ARRAEZ FROM MINNESOTA
MIAMI – The Miami Marlins today acquired infielder Luis Arraez from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for right-handed pitcher Pablo López, Minor League infielder José Salas, and Minor League outfielder Byron Chourio.
The 2022 American League batting champion, Arraez slashed .316/.375/.420 last season, earning AL All-Star and Silver Slugger honors. He set career highs and led the Twins with 173 hits, 88 runs scored, 31 doubles and 144 games played. He also set career highs with 8 home runs and 49 RBI. He drew a career-high 50 walks to lead the team, while striking out only 43 times – becoming the only player in MLB last year to strike out less than 50 times in at least 500 plate appearances.
On top of his batting title, the 25-year-old led all of MLB in batting average with two strikes (.281), led the AL in batting average with runners in scoring position (.366), and ranked second in the AL in batting average off fastballs (.351).
Arraez has spent the majority of his career at second base, but has also played first base, third base, shortstop, and left field. He owns a .985 career fielding percentage in 169 games at second base, with just 8 errors across 1248.0 innings.
Born in San Felipe, Venezuela, the infielder has posted a .314 career batting average and .374 on-base percentage over four years in the Majors, ranking second in MLB (min. 900 plate appearances) in average since his debut on May 18, 2019. Arraez has struck out just 131 times in his career, the least of any active player in the Majors with more than 1000 plate appearances.
Arraez, who will be under team control until 2026, was signed as an International free agent by Minnesota in November of 2013 at 16 years old. In 2016, he was rated as the best hitter for average and the best strike zone discipline in the Twins organization by Baseball America.
The Marlins begin the 2023 regular season on Thursday, March 30, facing the New York Mets at 4:10 p.m. on Opening Day at loanDepot park. Fans can secure their seats now to catch Marlins Baseball this season at Marlins.com/Tickets.
#MakeItMiami
