Lars Nootbaar | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Louis Cardinals – No. 21 | |||||||||||||||
Outfielder | |||||||||||||||
Born: El Segundo, California, U.S. | September 8, 1997|||||||||||||||
Bats: Left Throws: Right | |||||||||||||||
MLB debut | |||||||||||||||
June 22, 2021, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |||||||||||||||
MLB statistics (through July 21,2024) | |||||||||||||||
Batting average | .245 | ||||||||||||||
Home runs | 40 | ||||||||||||||
Runs batted in | 122 | ||||||||||||||
Teams | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Medals
|
Lars Taylor-Tatsuji Nootbaar (born September 8, 1997) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). On the international level, he represents the Japan national baseball team.
Born and raised in El Segundo, California, Nootbaar played three seasons of college baseball at the University of Southern California. The Cardinals selected him in the eighth round of the 2018 MLB draft, and he was in their minor league system for four seasons before making his MLB debut in 2021.
Nootbaar was born to an American father of European descent, Charlie Nootbaar, and a Japanese mother, Kumiko Enokida. [1] Nootbaar grew up in El Segundo, California.
He later attended El Segundo High School, where he played baseball and football. He was a three-time league MVP in baseball and twice in football as the Eagles' starting quarterback. [2] He committed to play college baseball at the University of Southern California (USC) and was recruited to play college football by UC Davis and Fordham. [3]
Nootbaar was a three-year starter for the USC Trojans, where his older brother Nigel had played. [4] He was named All-Pac-12 Conference as a sophomore after hitting .313 with 34 RBIs, 33 runs scored, and seven home runs. [5] Following the season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Firebirds of the Cape Cod Baseball League. [6] As a junior, Nootbaar had a .249 batting average with six home runs and 24 runs batted in (RBIs). [7]
The St. Louis Cardinals selected Nootbaar in the eighth round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft. [8] After signing with the team, he was assigned to the State College Spikes of the Class A Short Season New York–Penn League, where he set a team record with seven RBIs in one game. [9] For the season, he hit .227 with two home runs and 26 RBIs over 56 games. Nootbaar began the 2019 season with the Class A Peoria Chiefs of the Midwest League before being promoted to the Class A-Advanced Palm Beach Cardinals of the Florida State League. [4] [10] He was promoted a second time to the Springfield Cardinals of the Class AA Texas League. Over 101 games between the three clubs, he batted .264 with seven home runs and 38 RBIs. [11] In 2020, the minor league season was canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic. [12]
Nootbaar began the 2021 season at the Cardinals' alternate training site before being reassigned to the Triple-A East Memphis Redbirds. [13] He was placed on the injured list with a hand injury on May 28, and was activated on June 14. [14]
On June 22, 2021, Nootbaar was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. [15] At the time of his promotion, he had a .329/.430/.557 slash line with five home runs and 17 RBIs over 22 games. [16] He made his MLB debut that day as the starting left fielder against the Detroit Tigers. [17] The following day, Nootbaar recorded his first career hit, a triple. [18] He hit his first career home run as a pinch-hitter off JT Brubaker in a 7–6 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 12. [19] Nootbaar hit another pinch-hit home run the next day in a 6–0 victory over the Kansas City Royals. [20] On August 25, Nootbaar got his first career walk-off hit, a single in the 10th inning against Tigers relief pitcher Michael Fulmer. [21] Nootbaar finished the 2021 season slashing .239/.317/.422 with five home runs and 15 RBIs over 109 at-bats. [22] He was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League for the Glendale Desert Dogs after the season. [23]
Nootbaar entered the 2022 season as the Cardinals' fourth outfielder before eventually moving into a starting role after injuries and positive play. Over 108 games and 290 at-bats for St. Louis, he hit .228/.340/.448 with 14 home runs, 40 RBIs, and 16 doubles. [24] Nootbaar mainly played in center field for the Cardinals in 2023, also spending time in left and right field. Over 117 games, he batted .261 with 14 home runs and 46 RBIs. [25]
In 2006, a Japan national youth team toured the US, including future MLB player Masahiro Tanaka and Japanese high school pitching phenom Yuki Saito. [26] Nootbaar served as a batboy and interacted with the team, including stretching and playing catch, and some of the players stayed at his house and shared meals with the family. [26] According to his mother, this experience was later influential to Nootbaar accepting an offer to join the Japan national team for the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The team went on to win the tournament, with Nootbaar batting leadoff and recording an RBI in the gold-medal match against the United States national team. [27] [28] Nootbaar was the first player not born in Japan to represent the country in a World Baseball Classic. [29]
Nootbaar's parents met while they were students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. [16] Nootbaar's older brother, Nigel, was a pitcher at USC and played professionally in the Baltimore Orioles system. [30] [31]
During the 2022 season, Nootbaar became a fan favorite among Cardinals fans, often being greeted with "Nooooot!" when batting or making a defensive play, which may be mistaken for booing. [32]
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara is a Dominican-American former professional baseball first baseman and designated hitter. He played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim / Los Angeles Angels, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Nicknamed "the Machine", Pujols is considered to be one of the greatest baseball players of all time.
Paul Edward Goldschmidt, nicknamed "Goldy", is an American professional baseball first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has also represented the United States in international competition.
Kolten Kaha Wong is an American professional baseball second baseman who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He made his MLB debut in 2013. Wong bats left-handed and throws right-handed.
Marcell Ozuna Idelfonso, nicknamed "the Big Bear", is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals. He made his MLB debut in 2013 with the Marlins.
Stephen Edward Piscotty is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals and Oakland Athletics.
Carson Franklin Kelly is an American professional baseball catcher for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Tyler Alan O'Neill is a Canadian professional baseball outfielder for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals. He has represented Canada in international play, winning a gold medal at the 2015 Pan American games. Listed at 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) and 210 pounds (95 kg), he throws and bats right-handed.
Harrison Joseph Bader is an American professional baseball center fielder for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, and Cincinnati Reds.
Patrick Ian-Cashel Wisdom is an American professional baseball third baseman and first baseman for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Saint Mary's Gaels. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft and he made his MLB debut in 2018. He previously played in MLB for the Cardinals and Texas Rangers.
Paul Sterling DeJong is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, and San Francisco Giants.
Dylan James Carlson is an American professional baseball outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Óscar Mauricio Mercado is a Colombian-American professional baseball outfielder in the San Diego Padres organization. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians / Guardians, Philadelphia Phillies, and St. Louis Cardinals. He represented the Colombian national baseball team at the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
Louis Linwood Voit III is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Olmecas de Tabasco of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, Washington Nationals, and Milwaukee Brewers.
Andrew Robert Knizner is an American professional baseball catcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Randy Lia Arozarena González is a Cuban-born Mexican professional baseball outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Nolan Brian Gorman is an American professional baseball second baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Lane Michael Thomas is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Felipe Jesus "Tres" Barrera III is an American professional baseball catcher for the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals.
Juan David Yepez is a Venezuelan professional baseball outfielder and first baseman for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Brendan Michael Donovan is an American professional baseball utility player for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB).