The Remarkable Season of Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in MLB
The talented Cuban gardener, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., is concluding what could be considered the finest season of his entire MLB career. With personal records in various categories such as hits (141), runs scored (65), doubles (34), triples (2), home runs (24), walks (33), and games played (144), there is no doubt about his exceptional performance.
It is worth mentioning that Gurriel Jr. joined the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2023 through a mutual exchange with the Toronto Blue Jays. This trade proved to be a perfect fit for the youngest son of former Cuban National Series star, Lourdes Gurriel Sr.
No doubt, Yunito Gurriel has become a crucial asset for the Arizona team, which is on the verge of qualifying for the MLB 2023 postseason. To secure their spot, they need to defeat the Houston Astros at least once in their upcoming series.
Yunito’s Defensive Brilliance Against Houston
In the first game of the series, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. showcased his defensive prowess by making an excellent play that ended the inning. However, in the second game, he outdid himself with an even more remarkable feat.
With no outs on the scoreboard, starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (12-7, 3.38) faced the leadoff hitter, Jose Altuve, from the Houston Astros. Altuve hit a powerful line drive to left field on a sinker thrown at 94 MPH.
The ball gained height and seemed destined to hit the Cuban outfielder. But in a stunning display of athleticism, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. stretched his body to the limit, leaping towards the bullpen fence, and managed to catch the ball, preventing a potential extra-base hit.
Impressive Defensive Stats
Throughout this season, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has primarily played as a left fielder, starting in 87 out of the 93 games he has participated in. In a total of 760 innings, he has made 145 outs and recorded eight assists without committing a single error, maintaining a perfect fielding average of 1.000.
On the offensive side, Yunito had a slow start in the game, lowering his batting line to .259/.308/.461/.769 (AVE/OBP/SLG/OPS).
Without further ado, let’s enjoy the game…
2 Responses
Yunito Gurriel Jr. has proven to be a shining star for the Arizona Diamondbacks in the MLB 2023 playoffs race. His exceptional performance has been a key factor in their success, displaying his talent and skill on the field. As a fan, it’s truly exciting to see his stellar season unfold and contribute to the team’s playoff push. Go Diamondbacks!
Yunito Gurriel Jr. has been a true standout for the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2023 MLB playoffs race. His stellar performances have undoubtedly contributed to the team’s success. A rising star to watch out for!