Paul Goldschmidt is an American professional baseball first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He is one of the best all-around hitters in the league, with a career batting average of .291, 340 home runs, and 1,121 RBIs.
Goldschmidt was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth round of the 2009 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2011 and quickly established himself as one of the best young hitters in the league.
Paul Goldschmidt’s Background:
- Name: Paul Goldschmidt
- Position: First Baseman
- Height: 6’3″
- Weight: 230 lbs.
- Team: St. Louis Cardinals
- Age: 35 (born September 10, 1987)
- Nationality: American
- Previous Clubs: Arizona Diamondbacks (2011-2018), St. Louis Cardinals (2019-present)
In 2013, Goldschmidt won his first National League MVP Award. He led the NL in batting average (.337), on-base percentage (.414), and slugging percentage (.540). He also finished second in home runs (36) and RBIs (110).
Goldschmidt has been named to the All-Star team seven times and has won four Gold Glove Awards. He is one of the most consistent and productive hitters in baseball and is a key part of the Cardinals’ lineup.
- Goldschmidt is the first player in MLB history to play in regular-season games in five different countries (USA, Australia, Canada, Mexico, England).
- He is the only player in MLB history to have finished in the top three of the NL MVP voting four times in a five-year period (2013-2017).
- He is the 17th MVP award winner for an NL first baseman and the seventh by a Cardinal.
Goldschmidt is one of the most respected and admired players in baseball. He is a true professional and a model teammate.
Strengths & Weaknesses of Paul Goldschmidt:
Paul Goldschmidt is an American professional baseball first baseman who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He is one of the best all-around hitters in the league, with a combination of power, contact, and discipline. He has won several awards and accolades in his career, such as the NL MVP in 2022, seven All-Star selections, four Gold Gloves, and five Silver Sluggers.
- He has a smooth and consistent swing that generates hard contact and drives the ball to all fields. He has a career batting average of .293 and an OPS of .907. He has also hit over 30 home runs in six seasons.
- He has a great eye and plate discipline, as he can draw walks and avoid strikeouts. He has a career on-base percentage of .388 and a walk rate of 13.4%. He has also struck out less than 20% of the time in his career.
- He is an excellent defender at first base, as he can make plays with his glove and his arm. He has a career fielding percentage of .996 and a defensive runs saved of 46. He has also won four Gold Gloves for his defensive prowess.
- He can be prone to slumps and streaks, especially when he faces elite pitchers or hostile crowds. He has a career OPS of .837 on the road compared to .977 at home. He also has a career OPS of .789 in the postseason compared to .907 in the regular season.
- He can be vulnerable to breaking balls and off-speed pitches, especially when he falls behind in the count or tries to pull the ball too much. He has a career batting average of .247 against curveballs and .258 against changeups. He also has a higher ground ball rate when he pulls the ball than when he goes to the opposite field.
- He can be susceptible to injuries and fatigue, especially when he plays too many games or innings. He has dealt with several injuries in his career, such as elbow inflammation, back tightness, hand fracture, and shoulder soreness. He has also played over 150 games in seven seasons, which can take a toll on his body.
Tactical role of Paul Goldschmidt:
His tactical role within the team is to be the middle-of-the-order hitter and the leader of the offense, who can produce runs and spark rallies with his bat. He contributes to the overall strategy of the Cardinals, which is to use their balanced lineup and solid pitching to win games and contend for championships.
Hobbies & Interests of Paul Goldschmidt:
- He likes to play golf and go fishing in his free time. He often goes golfing with his teammates and friends, and he has a handicap of 12. He also enjoys fishing for bass and trout in various lakes and rivers.
- He is a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Green Bay Packers. He grew up watching Kobe Bryant and Brett Favre, and he admires their competitiveness and leadership. He also likes to play video games, especially NBA 2K and Madden NFL.
- He is interested in history and politics, and he likes to read books and watch documentaries on these topics. He is also a devout Christian who attends church regularly and reads the Bible every day. He credits his faith for helping him overcome challenges and stay humble.
- He is involved in various charitable and community causes, such as the Goldy’s Fund 4 Kids, which supports Phoenix Children’s Hospital, the Goldy’s Bowling Bash, which raises money for various organizations, and the Goldy’s Leadership Program, which mentors high school students. He also participates in events such as the Diamondbacks Celebrity Golf Classic, the Diamondbacks Race Against Cancer, and the Diamondbacks Winter Classic.
Paul Goldschmidt Net Worth:
According to various sources, Paul Goldschmidt has an estimated net worth of $20 million as of September 2023. He has earned over $137 million in his 13-year MLB career, with most of his income coming from his contracts with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the St. Louis Cardinals. He also has some endorsements and sponsorships from brands such as Nike, Rawlings, and Topps.
Paul Goldschmidt Personal life:
Paul Goldschmidt met his wife, Amy (née Glazier), during his freshman year at Texas State University, where he played baseball and she played golf. They married in October 2010 and have two children, a son named Jake and a daughter named Ava.
Goldschmidt became an evangelical Christian as an adult and attends church regularly. He credits his faith for helping him overcome challenges and stay humble. He also likes to read books and watch documentaries on history and politics.
Goldschmidt is a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Green Bay Packers. He grew up watching Kobe Bryant and Brett Favre, and he admires their competitiveness and leadership. He also likes to play video games, especially NBA 2K and Madden NFL.
Goldschmidt is involved in various charitable and community causes, such as the Goldy’s Fund 4 Kids, which supports Phoenix Children’s Hospital, the Goldy’s Bowling Bash, which raises money for various organizations, and the Goldy’s Leadership Program, which mentors high school students. He also participates in events such as the Diamondbacks Celebrity Golf Classic, the Diamondbacks Race Against Cancer, and the Diamondbacks Winter Classic.
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Paul Goldschmidt Family:
Goldschmidt has a mixed religious background, as his mother is Catholic and his father is Jewish. His Jewish great-grandparents, Paul and Ilse Goldschmidt, and his grandfather, Ernie, escaped Nazi Germany in 1938 before the Holocaust. Goldschmidt said he and his two brothers “know our Jewish history and we respect those beliefs. We had both sides of it as kids. My dad’s side, my mom’s side. We were exposed to all of it.”
Goldschmidt sees his grandfather two or three times a year, as well as his grandmother on his mother’s side. He also has a close relationship with his parents, David and Kim, who met at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. His family owns a flooring company that moved them from Wilmington, Delaware to Dallas, Texas and then to Houston, Texas.
Height of Paul Goldschmidt:
Goldschmidt is listed as 6 feet 3 inches (190 cm) tall and weighs 220 pounds (100 kg). He is one of the tallest and strongest first basemen in the league, with a combination of power, contact, and discipline at the plate. He also has good speed and defense for his size.
Paul Goldschmidt Contracts:
Goldschmidt was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth round of the 2009 MLB draft out of Texas State University. He made his MLB debut with them in 2011 and played for them until 2018. He signed a five-year contract extension worth $32 million with the Diamondbacks in 2013, which included a $500,000 signing bonus and various performance incentives.
In December 2018, Goldschmidt was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for four players: Luke Weaver, Carson Kelly, Andy Young, and a draft pick. In March 2019, he signed a five-year contract extension worth $130 million with the Cardinals, which included a $20 million signing bonus and more performance incentives. His contract runs through the 2024 season and makes him one of the highest-paid first basemen in the league.
Brands Associated:
Goldschmidt has been associated with several brands throughout his career, both as an endorser and a sponsor. Some of these brands are:
- Nike: Goldschmidt wears Nike cleats, gloves, apparel, and accessories on the field. He also has a signature line of Nike jerseys that feature his name and number on the back. Nike is one of the official sponsors of MLB and provides uniforms and equipment for all teams.
- Rawlings: Goldschmidt uses Rawlings bats and gloves on the field. He also has won four Gold Glove Awards, which are presented by Rawlings to the best defensive players at each position. Rawlings is one of the official sponsors of MLB and provides baseballs and gloves for all teams.
- Topps: Goldschmidt has appeared on several Topps baseball cards and collectibles over the years. He also has signed autographs and memorabilia for Topps, which are sold online and in stores. Topps is one of the official sponsors of MLB and produces trading cards and stickers for all players and teams.
Awards & Achievements of Paul Goldschmidt:
- He won the National League MVP Award in 2022, becoming the first Cardinals player to win the award since Albert Pujols in 2009. He posted a .308/.401/.596 slash line with 41 home runs, 120 RBIs, 112 runs, and 15 stolen bases in 156 games. He also led the league in OPS (0.997), OPS+ (170), and total bases (343).
- He was selected as an All-Star for seven consecutive years from 2013 to 2019, joining Stan Musial, Ozzie Smith, and Yadier Molina as the only Cardinals players to achieve this feat. He also participated in the Home Run Derby twice, in 2014 and 2017, finishing second and fourth respectively.
- He won four Gold Glove Awards for his defense at first base, in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2021. He became the first Cardinals first baseman to win the award since Keith Hernandez in 1982. He also won five Silver Slugger Awards for his offense at first base, in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022. He became the first Cardinals player to win both awards in the same season since Scott Rolen in 2004.
- He led the National League in home runs (36) and RBIs (125) in 2013, becoming the first Diamondbacks player to do so since Luis Gonzalez in 2001. He also led the league in slugging percentage (.551) and OPS (.952) that year. He finished second in the MVP voting behind Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates.
- He hit for the cycle on June 10, 2019, against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. He became the sixth Cardinals player to accomplish this feat and the first since Mark Grudzielanek in 2005. He went 4-for-5 with four RBIs and three runs scored in a 9-5 win.
Statistics of Paul Goldschmidt:
| Year | Team | Games | AB | Hits | Doubles | Triples | HR | RBIs | Runs | Walks | Strikeouts | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | OPS+ | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 65 | 263 | 86 | 13 | 0 | 11 | 44 | 34 | 28 | 51 | .327 | .383 | .508 | .891 | 134 | 3.6 |
| 2012 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 148 | 593 | 190 | 31 | 1 | 36 | 100 | 63 | 64 | 124 | .324 | .404 | .578 | .982 | 160 | 6.0 |
| 2013 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 149 | 597 | 199 | 30 | 1 | 30 | 99 | 65 | 63 | 127 | .336 | .414 | .580 | .994 | 161 | 6.4 |
| 2014 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 157 | 629 | 209 | 34 | 1 | 33 | 99 | 70 | 61 | 131 | .331 | .400 | .581 | .981 | 159 | 6.2 |
| 2015 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 148 | 591 | 190 | 27 | 0 | 40 | 120 | 65 | 62 | 126 | .322 | .397 | .579 | .976 | 161 | 5.8 |
| 2016 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 162 | 600 | 202 | 26 | 1 | 36 | 90 | 61 | 63 | 117 | .336 | .404 | .570 | .974 | 156 | 6.0 |
| 2017 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 161 | 603 | 208 | 32 | 2 | 33 | 97 | 66 | 59 | 116 | .343 | .408 | .561 | .969 | 155 | 6.2 |
| 2018 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 159 | 609 | 208 | 29 | 0 | 29 | 91 | 65 | 60 | 120 | .341 | .402 | .539 | .941 | 153 | 5.4 |
| 2019 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 156 | 588 | 193 | 28 | 1 | 33 | 83 | 56 | 56 | 119 | .333 | .398 | .535 | .933 | 150 | 5.2 |
| 2020 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 60 | 241 | 74 | 14 | 0 | 22 | 64 | 30 | 24 | 66 | .308 | .400 | .500 | .900 | 117 | 1.8 |
| 2021 | St. Louis Cardinals | 150 | 573 | 191 | 28 | 2 | 34 | 85 | 60 | 54 | 121 | .335 | .401 | .557 | .958 | 147 | 3.6 |
He played college baseball at Texas State University from 2007 to 2009, where he set multiple records and was named Southland Conference hitter of the year in both 2008 and 2009. He was drafted by the Diamondbacks in the eighth round of the 2009 MLB draft.
Scouting Report of Paul Goldschmidt:
| Tool | Grade | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hit | 70 | Goldschmidt has a smooth and consistent swing that generates hard contact and drives the ball to all fields. He has a career batting average of .293 and an OPS of .907. He has also hit over 30 home runs in six seasons. He has a great eye and plate discipline, as he can draw walks and avoid strikeouts. He has a career on-base percentage of .388 and a walk rate of 13.4%. He has also struck out less than 20% of the time in his career. |
| Power | 65 | Goldschmidt has above-average raw power that translates well in games. He can hit the ball out of any park with authority and has a knack for hitting clutch home runs. He has a career slugging percentage of .519 and an ISO of .226. He has also led the league in home runs (36) and RBIs (125) in 2013, and in OPS (0.997) and total bases (343) in 2022. |
| Speed | 50 | Goldschmidt is an average runner who can take extra bases and steal bases occasionally. He has a career stolen base percentage of 75% and has reached double digits in steals five times. He also has good baserunning instincts and decision-making, as he can avoid running into outs or take advantage of defensive mistakes. |
| Fielding | 60 | Goldschmidt is an excellent defender at first base, as he can make plays with his glove and his arm. He has a career fielding percentage of .996 and a defensive runs saved of 46. He has also won four Gold Glove Awards for his defensive prowess. He is rangy for his size and can scoop throws, start double plays, or make diving stops. |
| Arm | 55 | Goldschmidt has an average arm that is accurate and strong enough to make throws from first base. He can occasionally show off a plus arm, but he rarely needs to use it in game situations. He can make throws to second or third base to catch runners off guard or complete double plays. |
Paul Goldschmidt is one of the best all-around hitters in baseball, with a combination of power, contact, and discipline at the plate. He is also an excellent defender at first base, who can make plays with his glove and his arm. He is the middle-of-the-order hitter and the leader of the offense for the Cardinals, who can produce runs and spark rallies with his bat.
He has won several awards and accolades in his career, such as the NL MVP in 2022, seven All-Star selections, four Gold Gloves, and five Silver Sluggers. He is expected to be a key player for the Cardinals for years to come and a potential Hall of Famer in the future .
FAQs about Paul Goldschmidt:
How old is Paul Goldschmidt?
Paul Goldschmidt is 35 years old as of September 2023. He was born on September 10, 1987, in Wilmington, Delaware.
What college did Paul Goldschmidt attend?
Paul Goldschmidt attended Texas State University, where he played college baseball from 2007 to 2009. He majored in business administration and was named Southland Conference hitter of the year in both 2008 and 2009. He was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth round of the 2009 MLB draft.
When was Paul Goldschmidt traded to the St. Louis Cardinals?
Paul Goldschmidt was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on December 5, 2018, for four players: Luke Weaver, Carson Kelly, Andy Young, and a draft pick. He signed a five-year contract extension worth $130 million with the Cardinals in March 2019, which runs through the 2024 season.
What are some of Paul Goldschmidt’s hobbies and interests?
Some of the hobbies and interests of Paul Goldschmidt are playing golf and fishing, watching the Los Angeles Lakers and the Green Bay Packers, reading books and watching documentaries on history and politics, attending church and reading the Bible, and participating in various charitable and community causes.
How many times has Paul Goldschmidt hit for the cycle in his career?
Paul Goldschmidt has hit for the cycle once in his career, on June 10, 2019, against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. He went 4-for-5 with four RBIs and three runs scored in a 9-5 win. He became the sixth Cardinals player to accomplish this feat and the first since Mark Grudzielanek in 2005.
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