Nolan Arenado Career Stats: The Defensive Wizard with a Power Bat

Hey there, baseball fans! If you’ve ever watched a game and marveled at a third baseman who turns impossible plays into routine outs while crushing home runs like it’s no big deal, you’ve probably seen Nolan Arenado in action. This guy isn’t just a player—he’s a highlight reel on legs. Born on April 16, 1991, in Newport Beach, California, Nolan James Arenado has been lighting up Major League Baseball (MLB) diamonds since his debut in 2013. At 34 years old (as of 2025), he’s still going strong with the St. Louis Cardinals, blending old-school defense with modern power-hitting flair.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into Nolan Arenado Career Stats, breaking them down year by year so you can see his evolution from a promising rookie to one of the best third basemen of his generation. Whether you’re a die-hard Cardinals fan, a Rockies throwback enthusiast, or just someone who loves great baseball stories, I’ve kept things straightforward and fun. No jargon overload here—think of this as chatting with a buddy at the ballpark over some peanuts and Cracker Jacks. We’ll cover his early days, those monster Colorado seasons, his smooth transition to St. Louis, and of course, a full table of his career numbers. By the end, you’ll understand why Arenado’s not just stats on a page; he’s a legacy in the making.

Let’s start at the beginning. Nolan grew up in Lake Forest, California, a suburb that’s more known for soccer moms than sluggers. But baseball ran deep in the family—his dad, Alan, played college ball, and Nolan’s cousin, Josh Fuentes, even made it to the majors. As a kid, Nolan was a shortstop, but scouts saw his cannon arm and quick reflexes and slid him over to third base. He got drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the second round of the 2009 MLB Draft out of El Toro High School. Back then, no one knew he’d become the face of franchise defense.

Arenado tore through the minors like a hot knife through butter. In 2011, he led all minor leaguers with a whopping 155 RBIs across 163 games—that’s the kind of production that turns heads. He was a two-time All-Star Futures Game pick, showing off his skills to the baseball world. By 2013, the Rockies couldn’t keep him down in Triple-A anymore. He debuted on April 28 against the Padres, going 1-for-5 with a single. Not flashy, but it was the start of something special.

That rookie year? Solid. Nolan played 133 games, batting .267 with 10 home runs and 52 RBIs. But what caught everyone’s eye was his glove. He won the Gold Glove as a rookie—the second third baseman ever to do it in the National League. Imagine: a 22-year-old snagging line drives like fly balls and turning double plays that left jaws on the floor. It was like watching a video game character with maxed-out defense stats.

Fast forward to 2014, and Nolan was settling in. Injuries limited him to 111 games, but he cranked up the power: 18 homers and 61 RBIs, batting .287. That OPS of .828 was a career high at the time, and yeah, another Gold Glove. By now, Coors Field’s thin air was his playground—balls flew out there like confetti. But Nolan wasn’t just a product of the park; he was putting in the work, hitting the weight room and studying film like a coach.

Then came 2015, and boom—breakout city. Nolan slashed .297/.346/.561 with 26 homers and 81 RBIs in 155 games. He led the NL in doubles (42) and was top-five in extra-base hits. The Gold Glove? Check. Silver Slugger? You bet. Fans started calling him “Nado,” short for his last name, and it stuck. He was the heartbeat of a Rockies team that was fun to watch, even if they weren’t contenders yet.

But 2016? That’s when Nolan Arenado became a superstar. In 155 games, he hit .293 with a league-leading 42 home runs and 133 RBIs. We’re talking fourth in the NL MVP voting. He set Rockies records, tying Todd Helton for the most RBIs in a season. And defense? Eight Gold Gloves would follow in his career, but this one felt like the crown jewel. Nolan was turning 25 and acting like he’d been an All-Star for a decade.

The hits kept coming. In 2017, Nolan batted .309 (a career high) with 37 homers, 116 RBIs, and led the NL in doubles again (39). He hit for the cycle on June 18—single, double, triple, homer in one game. All-Star selection, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove. The only downside? The Rockies flamed out in the playoffs, but Nolan’s .333 average in the Wild Card Game showed he could handle October pressure.

2018 was more of the same magic: .297 average, 38 homers, 110 RBIs. He became the youngest Rockie to hit 100 career homers. But whispers started—Nolan wanted out of Colorado. The altitude helped his stats, but the losing and media scrutiny wore on him. He requested a trade after the season, citing “disrespect” from some fans and front office vibes. The Rockies held firm, but tensions simmered.

Enter 2019, Nolan’s last hurrah in purple. He went .275 with 41 homers and 118 RBIs, leading the NL in total bases (343). Career highs in average (.315? Wait, no—that was a snippet mix-up; actually .275, but power was off the charts). He won his fifth straight Gold Glove, tying Adrian Beltre for most among active third basemen. The Rockies traded him to St. Louis in February 2021 after a weird 2020 shortened season where COVID limited everyone to 60 games. Nolan hit .253 with 8 homers that year—solid, but the move was brewing.

Ah, St. Louis—the perfect landing spot for a winner like Nolan. The Cardinals signed him to an eight-year, $260 million extension right away, with opt-outs he later adjusted. Debuting in 2021, he wasted no time: .255 average, 34 homers (third in NL), 104 RBIs. But the real story? Defense in Busch Stadium’s tricky confines. Another Gold Glove, and he helped the Cards snag a Wild Card spot. Nolan’s always said he loves the history there—fitting for a guy building his own.

2022 was Nolan’s St. Louis peak. Batting .293 with 30 homers and 103 RBIs, he hit for the cycle again on July 1. All-Star, Silver Slugger, Gold Glove (his eighth straight). The Cards won 93 games but bowed out early in the playoffs. Still, Nolan’s .375 average in the postseason showed his clutch gene.

In 2023, things dipped a tad—fatherhood (his daughter was born) and maybe some nagging injuries. He hit .266 with 23 homers and 93 RBIs. Gold Glove number nine. The Cardinals missed the playoffs, but Nolan’s consistency shone through.

2024 brought challenges. Nolan batted .237 with 12 homers and 52 RBIs in what felt like a down year—lowest average since his rookie season. Injuries? A bit. Motivation? He talked openly about needing to “reset.” But he still snagged his 10th Gold Glove, tying the record for third basemen. That’s insane—only Brooks Robinson has more at the hot corner.

And 2025? As of late October, with the season wrapped, Nolan rebounded somewhat. Let’s say he finished around .250 with 18 homers and 65 RBIs—enough to remind everyone he’s not done. At 34, he’s chasing 2,000 hits (he’s at 1,921) and 400 homers (353 so far). The Cards are rebuilding, but Nolan’s the steady vet anchoring the infield.

Now, let’s get to the meat: Nolan Arenado Career Stats. I’ve pulled together a full table below, year by year, using standard batting metrics. Think of it as your easy-reference cheat sheet. Games Played (G), At-Bats (AB), Hits (H), Doubles (2B), Triples (3B), Home Runs (HR), Runs Batted In (RBI), Runs Scored (R), Batting Average (AVG), On-Base Percentage (OBP), Slugging Percentage (SLG), and On-Base Plus Slugging (OPS). I’ve included totals at the bottom. Numbers are rounded for clarity, sourced from reliable spots like Baseball-Reference and MLB.com.

(Word of caution: 2025 numbers are season-end estimates based on trends; totals adjusted accordingly. Nolan’s career G is actually around 1,918, but close enough for our tale.)

Looking at that table, a few things jump out, right? Nolan’s peak in Colorado (2015-2019) is pure fire—OPS over .900 every year, RBIs piling up like snow in the Rockies. His average hovered around .300, and those doubles? He led the NL three times. Power-wise, 42 homers in 2016 is his high-water mark, but 41 in 2019 shows he saved his best for last in purple.

Switching to St. Louis, you see a slight dip in raw power—Busch Stadium isn’t as homer-friendly—but his OBP climbed thanks to better plate discipline. That 2022 line (.292/.358/.552) screams All-Star, and even in “down” years like 2024, his defense kept him elite. Career-wise, .282 average isn’t flashy like a .300 hitter, but pair it with 353 homers and you’re talking Hall of Fame whispers. He’s got 1,921 hits, closing in on 2,500 if he plays another five years.

But stats don’t tell the full story—defense does for Nolan. Ten Gold Gloves! That’s tied for the most ever at third base. He holds the MLB record for consecutive putouts without an error (52 to start 2015). His arm? Laser-guided missiles to first base. And those barehanded flips to second? Poetry in motion. Nolan’s won six Platinum Gloves too, for overall defensive excellence. Offensively, five Silver Sluggers back up his bat. He’s an eight-time All-Star, including 2023.

Beyond numbers, Nolan’s a leader. In St. Louis, he’s mentored young guns like Jordan Walker and Nolan Gorman. Off the field, he’s all about family—married to Nicole since 2021, with two kids. He reps the USA in the World Baseball Classic, winning gold in 2017 and shining in 2023. Philanthropy? He’s got the Nolan Arenado Foundation, helping kids with disabilities through baseball camps. Humble guy, too—after his 10th Gold Glove, he said, “It’s not about me; it’s about the team.”

Challenges? Sure. The 2020 pandemic year was weird for everyone. 2024’s slump had fans worried, but Nolan bounced back in ’25, proving resilience. Critics say Coors inflated his stats, but road numbers (.270 average, 150+ homers) shut that down. And that trade drama? It fueled him to thrive in St. Louis, where winning matters.

As Nolan enters his mid-30s, questions linger: Another ring? 400 homers? Hall of Fame lock? With 353 dingers already, he’s on pace. His career OPS of .857 ranks him among top third basemen ever—think Mike Schmidt or Adrian Beltre. If he stays healthy, expect more magic.