Goldeyes Re-Sign Veteran Hitter Navarro
February 22, 2022 - American Association (AA)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
WINNIPEG, MB - The Winnipeg Goldeyes re-signed infielder Raul Navarro on Tuesday.
Navarro hit .310 with two home runs and 45 RBI in 88 games for the Goldeyes last season. The Los Llanos, Dominican Republic native tied for ninth in the American Association with 24 doubles, while contributing 48 runs, two triples, 20 stolen bases, and 42 walks. Navarro hit safely in 68 of his 88 games, and reached base (hit, walk, hit by pitch) in 81 of them. Navarro ran off a 14-game hitting streak from June 2nd-19th, and later had a career-high 18-game streak from June 26th through July 14th. Defensively, the 30-year-old Navarro split time at third base and shortstop, committing just nine total errors all season.
"Raul had a fantastic 2021 season for us, and I'm very happy he is returning for 2022," said Goldeyes' manager Rick Forney. "He is very versatile, both offensively and defensively. Raul had a very good winter season in Nicaragua, and I'm hopeful he can continue his strong play with the Goldeyes in 2022."
Navarro enters his 11th season of professional baseball, and is a career .279 hitter with a .352 on-base percentage in 745 games played. A right-handed hitter and fielder, Navarro originally signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks as an international free agent in 2009, and reached the Triple-A level in 2015. In 2011, Baseball America rated Navarro as having the best infield arm in Arizona's farm system. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Navarro has struck out in just 17 percent of his 3,094 career plate appearances, and has averaged 90 runs scored, 27 doubles, 60 RBI, 25 stolen bases, and 63 walks per 162 contests as a professional. Navarro was voted the independent Pacific Association's Most Valuable Player in 2019 after leading the league in batting average (.372), and helping the San Rafael Pacifics win the Pacific Association championship.
The Winnipeg Goldeyes now have 15 players signed to contracts for the 2022 season. American Association clubs may carry up to 30 players during spring training, which begins May 5th.
2022 Winnipeg Goldeyes Player Signings
RHP Freisis Adames
C Hidekel Gonzalez
OF Logan Hill
IF Kevin Lachance
RHP Josh Lucas
OF Max Murphy
IF Raul Navarro
RHP Erasmo Pinales
RHP Luis Ramirez
RHP Zac Ryan
IF Ian Sagdal
LHP Travis Seabrooke
LHP Tasker Strobel
RHP Jhon Vargas
1B David Washington
The Winnipeg Goldeyes open the 2022 season on Friday, May 13th versus the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at Shaw Park.
For information on Winnipeg Goldeyes' 2022 season tickets, group outings, and 10-game mini packs, visit the Goldeyes' official website at www.goldeyes.com.
American Association Stories from February 22, 2022
- Goldeyes Re-Sign Veteran Hitter Navarro - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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