Efrén Navarro
Navarro with the Los Angeles Angels in 2011
Acereros de Monclova – No. 25
First baseman / Left fielder
Born: (1986-05-14) May 14, 1986
Lynwood, California, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Professional debut
MLB: September 2, 2011, for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
NPB: June 29, 2018, for the Hanshin Tigers
MLB statistics
(through 2018 season)
Batting average.241
Home runs3
Runs batted in22
NPB statistics
(through 2019 season)
Batting average.264
Home runs3
Runs batted in27
Teams
Medals
Men’s baseball
Representing  Mexico
WBSC Premier12
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Tokyo National team

Efrén Navarro (born May 14, 1986) is a Mexican-American professional baseball first baseman and left fielder for the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League, and Tomateros de Culiacán of the Mexican Pacific League. He previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hanshin Tigers. He also plays on the Mexico national baseball team.

Early life

Navarro was born in Lynwood, California. He graduated from Lynwood High School in Lynwood, California. His family is from San Lorenzo Michoacán México. He played college baseball at University of Nevada, Las Vegas.[1]

Professional career

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Navarro was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 50th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft.[1]

He was a 2011 recipient of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award with the Salt Lake Bees.[2] Navarro joined the Angels during September call-ups on September 1, 2011.[3] Navarro spent the whole 2012 season in the minors, batting .294/.336/.403 for Salt Lake. Navarro played in 64 games for the Angels in 2013, hitting .245/.302/.340 in 159 at bats.

Navarro playing for the Salt Lake Bees in 2013.

Against the Seattle Mariners on July 18, 2014, Navarro came in to pinch-hit for John McDonald in the bottom of the 16th inning. He ripped the first pitch through to centerfield, driving in the winning run represented by Mike Trout who was on second base after hitting his 100th career double. It was Navarro's first career walk-off RBI and the first pinch-hit walk-off by an Angel since September 7, 2012. It was just the second pinch-hit walk-off in the 16th inning or later in Angels franchise history.[4] Efren hit his first career home run off Justin Verlander on July 26.

Navarro was designated for assignment by the Angels on January 19, 2016.[5]

Baltimore Orioles

On January 26, 2016, Navarro was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations.[6] He was designated for assignment on February 25, 2016, and elected free agency rather than accept a minor league assignment.[7]

Seattle Mariners

On March 2, 2016, Navarro signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners.[7] He batted .243/.316/.362 for Tacoma.[8] He was released on July 4.[9]

Toros de Tijuana

On July 5, 2016, Navarro signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican Baseball League. He was released on July 7, 2016. On July 9, 2016, Navarro signed a minor league deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Detroit Tigers

On January 10, 2017, Navarro signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers that included an invitation to spring training.[10] On September 1, 2017, the Tigers purchased the contract of Navarro and that same day was selected in the starting lineup. He batted .276/.370/.395 with 10 home runs and 61 RBIs in 479 at bats for the triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, and .230/.319/.377 in 61 at bats for the Tigers.[8] He was outrighted to Triple–A on November 3, 2017. He elected free agency on November 6.[11]

Chicago Cubs

On January 28, 2018, Navarro signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs.[12] The Cubs promoted him to the major leagues, where he had one hit in six at bats, on April 10 following Anthony Rizzo being placed on the DL.[13] He was outrighted to AAA Iowa Cubs on May 29, 2018, with whom he batted .310/.386/.440 with 4 home runs and 29 RBIs in 184 at bats.[8] He was placed on the temporarily inactive list on June 8 following his decision to play in Japan, and later released on June 14.

Hanshin Tigers

Navarro with the Hanshin Tigers in 2019

On June 15, 2018, Navarro signed with the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[14] On December 2, 2019, he became a free agent.[15] After the 2019 season, he played for Tomateros de Culiacán of the Mexican Pacific League(LVMP).

Toros de Tijuana (second stint)

On February 10, 2020, Navarro signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League. In 2020, he did not play a game because of the cancellation of the Mexican League season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[16] After the 2020 season, he played for Tomateros of the LVMP. He has also played for Mexico in the 2021 Caribbean Series.

Navarro played in 44 games for Tijuana in 2021, slashing .345/.472/.444 with 1 home run and 24 RBI.[17] In 2022, Navarro played in 77 games for the Toros, hitting .300/.417/.466 with 10 home runs and 42 RBI. He began the 2023 season with the team, hitting .192 in 9 games.[18]

Acereros de Monclova

On May 3, 2023, Navarro was traded to the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League in exchange for IF Noah Perio.[19]

International career

Navarro was selected to the Mexico national baseball team at the 2013 World Baseball Classic, 2017 World Baseball Classic Qualification, 2017 World Baseball Classic, 2019 WBSC Premier12, and 2020 Summer Olympics.[20][21]

References

  1. 1 2 DiGiovanna, Mike (January 19, 2016). "Angels sign Al Alburquerque; Efren Navarro is designated for assignment". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Navarro Recipient of Rawlings Gold Glove Award". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  3. ↑ Spencer, Lyle (September 1, 2011). "Angels add four as roster size expands". MLB.com. Retrieved September 1, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Mariners vs. Angels | 07/18/14".
  5. ↑ Ghiroli, Brittany (January 19, 2016). "Angels sign Al Alburquerque, designate Efren Navarro for assignment". MLB.com. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Orioles get OF Efren Navarro from Angels for cash". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 26, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  7. 1 2 Lewis, Adam (March 2, 2016). "Mariners sign 1B Efren Navarro to a minor-league deal". Seattle Post Intelligencer. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 "Efren Navarro Minor, Winter, Mexican & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  9. ↑ Todd, Jeff (July 4, 2016). "Minor MLB Transactions: 7/4/16". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  10. ↑ Beck, Jason (January 10, 2017). "Tigers sign Minors contracts with 22 players". MLB.com. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Minor League Free Agents 2017". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  12. ↑ "Minor MLB Transactions: 1/28/18".
  13. ↑
  14. ↑ "外国人選手との契約合意について｜球団ニュース｜ニュース｜阪神タイガース公式サイト".
  15. ↑ "2019年度 自由契約選手". NPB.jp 日本野球機構 (in Japanese). Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Mexican League Cancels 2020 Season".
  17. ↑ "Efrén Navarro Reportó A Los Entrenamientos De Toros De Tijuana". deportes.com. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  18. ↑ ""La meta? Volver a la Serie deal Rey": Efrén Navarro". elsoldetijuana.com.mx. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Acereros: Efrén Navarro llega a la furia azul". MiLB.com (in Spanish). May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  20. ↑ Nagatsuka, Kaz. "Former NPB players Matt Clark, Efren Navarro revel in Mexico's triumph". The Japan Times. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Novena México: Roster oficial que buscará la gloria". MiLB.com (in Spanish). July 8, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
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