2023 was a huge season for left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. The former Toronto Blue Jay was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks during the 2022 offseason. With Arizona, Gurriel Jr. had one of his best statistical seasons, earning his first All-Star nod. By October, Lourdes and his teammates rallied together and advanced to the World Series. That was the Diamondbacks’ first appearance in the World Series since 2001. Although they did not win it all, Lourdes had some exceptional hitting during the 2023 Fall Classic. He became a free agent after the season ended. With options, and an important decision to make, the 2023 All-Star Gurriel has ultimately re-signed with the Diamondbacks for three years and $42 million, with the deal first being reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Last year Gurriel Jr. certainly proved he has the chance to be an important factor for a winning ball club. At 30 years old, he has the chance to make a further impact in Arizona.
Outfielder Lourdes Gurriel’s deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks is for three years and $42 million with a club option for a fourth season, sources tell me and @kileymcd. The deal also includes an opt-out after the second season.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 17, 2023
2023 All-Star Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is a Diamondback Once Again
23 out of 24 of Gurriel Jr.’s home runs last season went out of left field. That shows how much he is a pull-hitter. About 30 of his 144 hits were opposite-field base knocks. Even though Lourdes got most of his hits off fastballs, he had 10 home runs each off of fastballs and breaking balls. Defensively, of 160 chances to get the put-out in left field, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had a putout success rate of 88 percent. Any team would be lucky to have this 2023 All-Star in their lineup, as he can bring his best at the plate or out in the field.
Gurriel’s Stats from Last Season
Last season in 145 games played and in 551 at-bats, Gurriel Jr. recorded 144 hits, 24 home runs, and had 82 runs batted in. He stole five bases and had a batting average of .261. During the World Series, in 18 at-bats he batted .333 having six hits, one of those being a home run while having five runs batted in. Through 66 at-bats in the postseason, the 2023 All-Star had 18 hits. In addition, he had three home runs, 11 runs batted in, and a .273 batting average. His best game of the 2023 regular season was on May 7th in a 9-8 loss to the Washington Nationals. In that game, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. went 2-for-3 with two home runs, and four runs batted in.
Photo Credit: © Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
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