PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 12: Luis Arraez #3 of the Miami Marlins in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during a game at Citizens Bank Park on April 12, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Marlins defeated the Phillies 3-2 in 10 innings. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Miami Marlins second baseman Luis Arraez entered the game against the Philadelphia Phillies Tuesday night hitting .500 for the year. When the game ended, he was batting .537 as he set a franchise first record for the Marlins. Up until now no one in franchise history had ever hit for the cycle. This includes the 16 years when they were known as the Florida Marlins. That is until Luis Arraez stepped to the plate on April 11, 2023.
Luis Arraez Embarks on His Historic Journey
Arraez started his night with a double to right field off of Phillies starter Aaron Nola. In his next at-bat in the 3rd inning, Arraez lined out. But the sixth inning is where his night really went El Fuego. With Nola still on the mound. Arraez laced a line-drive triple to right field. He scored when right-fielder Jorge Soler punched a double to left field.
Then in the seventh inning, Arraez smoked a 358-foot solo bomb off of Phillies reliever Connor Brogdon over the left-field fence to put the Marlins ahead 5-3. He capped his night off with an RBI single to left off of Andrew Bellatti in the eighth inning. The Marlins would go on to win the game 8-4. Arraez ended the night going 4-5. With 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Flames were coming off his bat by the end of the game.
Kudos for Luis Arraez
When the smoke settled, more accolades would be bestowed on Luis Arraez. It turns out that Arraez’s .537 average is the highest average for any MLB player after 12 games since the Texas Rangers’ Frank Catalanotto hit .600 in 200 during that time span. Arraez has continued his torrid start as his batting average is still a lofty .500.
All this from a player who has only been with the Marlins since January 20th of this year. Luis Arraez was a hitting machine for the Minnesota Twins for three and a half years until he was traded to Miami for starting pitcher Pablo Lopez and two well-regarded Marlins prospects. The trade has worked favorably for both teams as Lopez is currently 1-0, with a 1.35 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 20 innings for the first-place Twins.
Born to Hit
Arraez hit .314 in a Twins uniform and culminated his time with the team by winning the American League Batting Title last year with a .316 average. He beat our Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees who was attempting to become the first major leaguer to win a Triple Crown since Miguel Cabrera with the 2012 Detroit Tigers.
Many observers say that Luis Arraez was born to hit. He excelled at every minor league level he played at, and he hit the ground running when reached the majors. Arraez is also a fan favorite and a beloved clubhouse presence. Fans love his effervescent personality and old-style way of playing the game. He also endeared himself to his Twins’ teammates with the humble, good-natured way he carries himself.
The future looks bright indeed for Luis Arraez. One can envision him winning several more batting titles and making an annual appearance at the All-Star Game. The story of Luis Arraez is a feel-good story. You can’t help but root for the guy. As a Minnesota fan, I feel fortunate to have seen him in action in a Twins uniform. And while I miss him, I wish him nothing but continued success as he continues to strike fear in major league pitchers.
