Former Blue Wahoos' Arraez Hits For Cycle, Makes Marlins History
In the 38 games Luis Arraez played for the Blue Wahoos in 2019, including 15 times in Pensacola, the short connection offered a glimpse into his future. What a future it has become. A little more than six months after being crowned the American League batting champion with the Minnesota
In the 38 games Luis Arraez played for the Blue Wahoos in 2019, including 15 times in Pensacola, the short connection offered a glimpse into his future.
What a future it has become.
A little more than six months after being crowned the American League batting champion with the Minnesota Twins, Arraez, 26, stirred the Major League Baseball world again Tuesday night by becoming the first Miami Marlins player in franchise history to hit for the cycle in a game.
The left-handed hitting, second baseman, did it while leading the Marlins to an 8-4 win at Philadelphia. Arraez started with a first-inning double, then a sixth-inning triple in the right field corner, followed by a solo homer to left in the seventh, and finished the feat by lining a single to left field in the eighth inning.
The Marlins, who became the Blue Wahoos’ Double-A affiliate in 2021, had played 4,699 previous games in their 31-year history, but never had a player attain one of baseball’s rarest feats of producing the four different hits in the same game.
They were the only team among the 30 in MLB without a player to hit for the cycle in franchise history.
“A special day. It was a regular day, because we play baseball,” said Arraez, speaking with his usual humility in a post-game session with media members in Philadelphia.
“It's a beautiful sport for me,” he said. “And I think for everybody that plays baseball. I just come here to play baseball, and then try to do my best and then help the team win.”
That gratitude and joy was always in full display during his tenure with the Blue Wahoos. Arraez kept a smile on his face. He willingly engaged with fans and children near the dugout at Blue Wahoos Stadium. He always obliged for autographs.
He was special. His MLB career has been the same way.
Arraez ignited a Marlins clubhouse celebration that included a champagne toast, along with a photograph of Arraez holding the dugout lineup poster and encased baseball of the last hit. His batting gloves worn in the game were shipped for display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.
“Pretty special to be part of that,” said Marlins first-year manager Skip Schumaker, speaking to media members at the game Tuesday night. “Watching him go about his business, just all over the field the way he’s doing it, such a joy to watch.”
On May 13, 2019, Arraez played his last game for the Blue Wahoos. It was a month after his 22nd birthday. He joined the Rochester (NY) Red Wings, then the Twins’ Triple-A affiliate, the next day.
Three days later, the Twins called him up and he made his MLB debut on May 18, 2019.
After four seasons with the Twins, Arraez was traded to the Marlins on Jan. 20 in exchange for Marlins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez and minor league prospects, shortstop Jose Salas and outfielder Bryan Chourio.
The Twins needed a dependable, dominating starting pitcher and were willing to take the bold move and part with Arraez. The Marlins needed a bonafide hitter, someone who can bring excitement and interest in Miami.
So far, it’s been a win-win. In this first three starts, Lopez was 1-0 for the Twins with a 1.35 ERA in 20 innings pitched. He allowed just eight hits.
And Arraez? Well, going into Wednesday, he had a .536 average and .596 on-base percentage the led all MLB hitters through the first 12 games.
“(Arraez) kinda what we preach in being a good hitter and not just a power slug,” said Marlins’ first-year manager Skip Shumaker, speaking to media members after Tuesday’s game and feat. “He’s showing guys how to use the whole field and what the preparation looks like (to do that).
“And just being a good hitter, grinding out at-bats. (Arraez) never takes a pitch off. Just the whole mentality of day-in, day-out defensively as well. It’s just been an incredible pickup.”
Arraez had 50 hits in 146 at-bats with the Blue Wahoos. He was batting .342 with 14 RBI when elevated to Triple-A in 2019.
Immediately after being notified in 2019 he was heading to the Twins for his big-league debut, Arraez called Ramon Borrego, the Blue Wahoos manager that season. Borrego wept. The two are both Venezuela natives. Borrego is now managing the Wichita (Kan.) Wind Surge
“It is unbelievable,” said Borrego the next day that year. “I am the first person (Arraez) called. That tells you something special. I feel for this kid with way he worked and the way he’s chased his dream. I think I am one of the bigger witnesses in his career.”
Arraez’ career keeps adding more special moments.