Mexicans in MLB: Arozarena and Aranda bats, the best at the start

ByDavid Mitchell
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Randy Arozarena’s bats with Seattle and Jonathan Aranda in Tampa Bay have been among the best in the American League

Ha concluded the first week complete in Major Leagues and most teams have at least nine games played. The great focus of these first days of the season 2026 it was in Toronto Blue Jays where there was a castling movement with the two mexicans What does the current one count? champion of the American League. Additionally, bats Randy Arozarena,with Seattle Marinersand Jonathan Arandain Tampa Bay Rayshave been of the best in the American League.

Good and bad news comes from Toronto. On Friday during extra innings against the White Sox, Kirk suffered a broken thumb while stopping a slider pitch from Jeff Hoffman. He was immediately removed from the game to be replaced by Tyler Heineman. After the game the fracture was confirmed and he was sent to the injured list with no estimated return time. In the first five games he played, Kirk had three hits, a home run and drove in two runs.

After this injury, the Blue Jays decided to call Mexican catcher Valenzuela, who is the organization’s number 24 prospect and this Sunday he debuted as a starter, batting ninth. Valenzuela hit in his first at-bat of the game, a line drive to right field; His two other at-bats he struck out. In addition, the White Sox offense stole four bases in the game from the Hermosillo debutant.

During the week another Mexican injury had already arrived, in his debut of the season with the Blue Jays, Ponce had a debut to forget. He started the game against the Colorado Rockies, but could only pitch 2.1 innings. During the third inning he showed problems with his knee when he was unable to make a good pitch from the mound and a pitch later, coming down from the mound looking for the ball, was knocked down on the field. He left the game assisted and has immediately been placed on the 60-day injured list and it is unknown when he can pitch again.

One of the best Mexican bats at the start of the season and he shines with two home runs, being the best record for a Mexican player in the season so far. Aranda also has seven RBIs and has taken over first base defensively, this despite the fact that Dominican Yandy Díaz has returned at a high level.

Slow start for Jarren Durán who has played eight of nine games in the game with a low batting average of .207, he is still looking for his first home run and has four RBIs. Now Durán has been inserted into the important part of the Red Sox lineup, leaving aside that leadoff role that he had previously adopted.

The season has gone from better to less for Marcelo Mayer. He started on the Opening Day roster, and also scored two of the three runs that helped Boston win. Mayer has played defense as a second baseman and has already hit a home run, in addition to driving three runs to the plate. He still hasn’t taken over a starting position in the Red Sox; and his left-handed bat position is what prevents him from always remaining as a starting player.

Dream start for Bradley as part of the Twins’ starting rotation. The pitcher with Mexican roots dropped out of the WBC 2026 with Mexico at the last minute to keep a spot in the rotation and in the end it paid off well. There have been two outings for Bradley so far with a 1-0 record and 0.87 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 10.2 innings pitched, he had a quality start with a victory against the Royals. Next week, the right-handed pitcher will start against the Tigers on Tuesday and will close the week on Sunday against the Blue Jays.

Another of the acquisitions that Minnesota had was the left-handed Banda, who has been one of the strongest arms in the bullpen. He has already pitched in five games, been solid, and earned his first win of the year on March 28 in Baltimore when he pitched two-thirds of an inning and got both outs in a double play. Banda’s ERA is 2.08, making him one of the best relievers on the team so far.

Now Paredes’ role in the Astros is as a utility player, but despite this situation, he has played five games and four of them are at third base, the other as second base. The one from Hermosillo is hitting .227 with five RBIs and has yet to hit a home run, but he has four doubles. He was placed on the duel list on Friday and missed the series against the Athletics; He could return at the beginning of the week on the road against the Rockies.

The reliever has not had the best start to the season, even though he was going to have the opportunity to be a closer in some games. So far, he has not saved once. The left-handed reliever took the loss this afternoon against the Reds, he relieved only a third of the inning, they gave him a hit and it was the run with which Cincinnati defeated Texas.

Arozarena’s bat has been responding in the first games of the season, even though the results have not been entirely good for Seattle. The left fielder is hitting .294 with three RBIs and two stolen bases. He is still looking for his first home run of the 2026 season.

Four reliefs at the moment for the closed Andrés Muñoz and so far he has not yet been able to achieve his first save with Seattle. The Los Mochis pitcher has scored zero in three of his four reliefs, the one in which he could not do so was against the Guardians and he took the loss by allowing two earned runs and a home run. He won last Friday in Anaheim by blanking the Angels offense in an inning of relief.

The right-hander earned a spot in the Phillies rotation, but after two starts, this role may be at risk. Walker has lost the two starts he has had in the regular season, with a very high ERA of 9.31 with six strikeouts and has already received 10 runs in the young season, three of them have come via home run.

The golden glove that is Urías has been used very little by the ‘Pájaros Rojos’ team, having barely had 12 official shifts in the first nine games of the season, but he has already hit a home run. Urías has started four games and started all four at shortstop, in addition to having already covered the third base.

Romero finished last season as a closer, but in 2026 he no longer had this role. However, by having reliefs between the seventh and eighth innings with the Cardinals, he has performed optimally. He has pitched in five games, has not received a run so far, has only two received and already has two holds.

New adventure for Urquidy in MLB and now in the National League with the Pirates. He failed to earn a spot in Pittsburgh’s rotation, but made the roster on Opening Day. He has pitched in two games this season and shined with a relief in extra innings against the Mets. He has worked 3.0 innings so far this year and only has one run received, but it was unearned.

There has been consistency for Gonzales despite the fact that Pittsburgh’s best prospect has already risen: Konnor Griffin. However, since this weekend his activity slowed down as he only played in one of three games in the series against Baltimore. He should continue playing for a long time because he is hitting .310 with three RBIs after the first week and a half of the year. Third base has been the defensive position that the Mexican has played the most.

Great start for the Brewers’ starting shortstop because the wood has been opportune for Joey Ortiz and has contributed to Milwaukee’s good collective start. He has established himself as a starter in 7 of 9 games, batting .269 with three runs batted in and two walks, and has also stolen three bases.

Estrada’s role in the bullpen will now be to prepare closer Mason Miller and with this, the responsibilities of the right reliever increase. He has been active in five of the first nine games of the season with San Diego, he has already won his first game, but he has also already lost. His record is 1-1 and the ERA is high at 7.71 because the Tigers gave him four runs, the only ones received at the moment. Estrada also already boasts two holds at the start of the season.

The team that has the most Mexicans on its current active roster is the Rockies. Vodnik’s closer role has been maintained at the start of the season. This Sunday against the Phillies he achieved his first save of the year in the Colorado jersey. In addition, he lost his first active game of the year against the Marlins, leaving his ERA at 4.50.

As happened during his time with the Red Sox, Bernardino will have a pitching role practically every day. The left-hander has been active in six games including one start and has already won his first game of the season in Colorado. He has a 1.93 ERA with one earned run received in 4.2 innings of performance at the moment.

Bellozo was brought up to the Colorado team this week, after being added to the 40-man roster at the start of the season. He made his debut last Friday against the Rockies coming off the bench. It was a great performance as he pitched 6.0 one-hit innings, but that hit was a solo home run for the Phillies. His ERA is at 1.50 and with 7 strikeouts.

Very slow start for the D-backs center fielder who remains an immovable starter due to his great glove, but on offense he has cooperated very little. Thomas hit two doubles in his second game of the season and drove in three runs, after which he has only had one more hit and has a batting average of .138.

David Mitchell
David Mitchell

As a passionate sports journalist with over a decade of experience, I strive to uncover the heart and soul behind every game. Supported by a dedicated team of fellow enthusiasts and storytellers, I am committed to delivering insightful and engaging content that connects fans worldwide. Together, we celebrate the victories, challenges, and unifying spirit of sports through every article we craft.