Paul Goldschmidt: Professional Baseball First Baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals - Stats, Bio, Contracts & more

Paul Goldschmidt is a first baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was born in Scottsdale, Arizona, and attended Scottsdale Chaparral High School, where he played baseball. Goldschmidt was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth round of the 2009 MLB draft.

Goldschmidt made his MLB debut in 2011 with the Diamondbacks. He spent the next seven seasons with the team, before signing with the Cardinals in 2019.

Details about Paul Goldschmidt’s Background:

Name: Paul Goldschmidt
Position: First Baseman
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 225 lbs
Team: St. Louis Cardinals
Age: 35
Nationality: American
Previous Clubs: Arizona Diamondbacks

Goldschmidt is one of the best hitters in baseball. He has won five Gold Glove Awards and three Silver Slugger Awards. He is also a four-time All-Star.

In 2023, Goldschmidt had another excellent season, batting .294 with 31 home runs, 99 RBIs, and an OPS of .913. He was named the National League Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Goldschmidt is a key part of the Cardinals’ lineup. He is a consistent performer who can hit for average and power. He is also a good fielder and a good baserunner.

Goldschmidt is a popular figure in St. Louis and is known for his work ethic and dedication to the game. He is also a humble and approachable player who is always willing to sign autographs and interact with fans.

Strengths & Weaknesses of Paul Goldschmidt:

He is one of the best all-around hitters in the league, who can hit for both average and power. He has a career batting average of .293 and has hit 340 home runs as of September 17, 2023. He has a smooth and balanced swing that allows him to make hard contact and drive the ball to all fields. He has a high exit velocity and barrel rate, meaning he hits the ball with high speed and accuracy.
He is a patient and selective hitter who can draw walks and get on base. He has a career on-base percentage of .388 and has drawn 849 walks as of September 17, 2023. He has a good eye and discipline at the plate, which helps him avoid strikeouts and bad pitches. He also has good baserunning skills and can steal bases when needed. He has 158 career stolen bases and has only been caught 33 times.
He is a solid and reliable defender who can play both first base and outfield. He has a career fielding percentage of .996 at first base and .987 in the outfield as of September 17, 2023. He has a strong and accurate arm that can throw out runners or relay the ball to the infield. He also has good range and instincts on the field, which help him make plays or cover ground. He has won four Gold Glove Awards for his defense at first base in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2021.
He is not very fast or agile, which limits his range and mobility on the field. He sometimes has trouble running the bases or scoring from second base on a single, which can cost his team runs. He is an average runner for a first baseman, but not a base-stealing threat. He has only stolen more than 20 bases in a season once in his career, in 2016.
He is prone to slumps and streaks, which can affect his performance and confidence. He sometimes struggles against elite pitchers or in high-pressure situations. He also tends to hit more ground balls than fly balls, which lowers his slugging percentage and home run rate. He has only hit more than 30 home runs in a season three times in his career, in 2013, 2017, and 2022.
He is not very durable or healthy, which affects his availability and consistency on the field. He has suffered several injuries throughout his career, such as a broken hand in 2014, an elbow inflammation in 2018, a back strain in 2020, and a hamstring strain in 2021. He also tends to wear down as the season progresses, which can reduce his effectiveness and production.

Tactical role of Paul Goldschmidt:

He is the cleanup hitter for the Cardinals, meaning he bats fourth in the lineup and is responsible for driving in runs with his power hitting. He is one of the best hitters in the league, as he has posted an .907 OPS (on-base plus slugging) and 143 OPS+ (adjusted OPS) in his career as of September 17, 2023. He also provides leadership and experience to the team, as he is one of the longest-tenured players on the roster.

He is the starting first baseman for the Cardinals, meaning he plays on the right side of the infield and receives throws from the other infielders. He is one of the most reliable defenders at his position, as he has posted a .996 fielding percentage at first base in his career as of September 17, 2023. He also provides stability and quality at the front end of the infield, allowing the other infielders to play with more confidence and less pressure.

He contributes to the overall strategy of the Cardinals by providing offense and defense at a key position. He also provides leadership and experience to the team, as he is one of the longest-tenured players on the roster. He helps the Cardinals compete for championships, as he was a member of the World Series champions with the Astros in 2022.

Hobbies & Interests of Paul Goldschmidt:

He is a fan of golf and enjoys playing it in his spare time. He has participated in several charity golf tournaments, such as the Players Trust All Star Golf Tournament and the Diamondbacks Celebrity Golf Classic. He says that golf helps him relax and have fun with his friends.
He also likes to read books, especially biographies and historical novels. He says that reading helps him learn new things and expand his perspective. Some of his favorite books are Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell, and The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown.
He likes to listen to music, especially country and Christian music. He says that music helps him get in the mood and energize himself before games. Some of his favorite artists are Chris Tomlin, TobyMac, and Luke Bryan.
He loves to spend time with his family and friends, especially his wife and three children. He says that his family is his motivation and inspiration to work hard and achieve his goals. He also supports various causes and charities, such as the Goldy’s Fund 4 Kids, which helps children and families in need.

Net worth of Paul Goldschmidt:

According to various sources, Paul Goldschmidt’s net worth is estimated to be around $20 million as of September 2023. He has earned most of his wealth from his professional baseball career, which spans 13 seasons in the major leagues. He has also signed lucrative contracts with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the St. Louis Cardinals, as well as endorsement deals with brands such as Nike and Rawlings.

Personal life of Paul Goldschmidt:

Paul Goldschmidt was born on September 10, 1987, in Wilmington, Delaware. He grew up a Houston Astros fan and attended The Woodlands High School in Texas, where he played baseball and won a state championship in 2006. He then went to Texas State University and played for the Texas State Bobcats, where he set several school records and was named the Southland Conference Hitter of the Year in 2009.

Goldschmidt met his wife, Amy (née Glazier), during his freshman year at Texas State; they married in October 2010. The couple have two children, a son and a daughter. Goldschmidt became an evangelical Christian as an adult; he has Jewish and German ancestry. He is also involved in various charitable causes, such as Goldy’s Fund 4 Kids, which helps children and families in need.

Family of Paul Goldschmidt:

Goldschmidt has a close-knit family that supports him throughout his career. His parents, David and Kim, met at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. His mother is Catholic and his father is Jewish. Goldschmidt and his two younger brothers were raised Catholic. His Jewish great-grandparents, Paul and Ilse Goldschmidt, and his grandfather, Ernie (who now lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida), 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. At 36, he is married himself, and has a son, Jacob, and a daughter, Hannah.

Height of Paul Goldschmidt:

Goldschmidt is listed as 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 meters) tall and weighs 220 pounds (100 kilograms). He is one of the tallest and strongest first basemen in the league, which gives him an advantage in hitting for power and fielding his position.

Contracts of Paul Goldschmidt:

Goldschmidt has signed two major contracts in his MLB career. The first one was with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2013, when he agreed to a five-year extension worth $32 million, with a $500,000 signing bonus and an option for a sixth year. This contract made him one of the best bargains in baseball, as he produced MVP-caliber numbers for the Diamondbacks from 2013 to 2018.

The second contract was with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2019, when he signed a five-year extension worth $130 million, with a $20 million signing bonus and no opt-out clauses. This contract made him one of the highest-paid first basemen in the league, as well as the face of the franchise for the Cardinals.

Brands Associated:

Goldschmidt has been associated with several brands throughout his career, both on and off the field. He wears Nike cleats and gloves, Rawlings bats and gloves, Oakley sunglasses, and New Era caps. He has also appeared in commercials for Pepsi, State Farm, Chevrolet, AT&T, and MLB Network. He is also a spokesperson for Phoenix Children’s Hospital and D-backs Give Back Youth Jersey Program.

Statistics of Paul Goldschmidt:

Year	AB	H	HR	RBI	R	OBP	SLG	OPS	WAR
2011	451	157	8	44	60	.354	.474	.828	3.3
2012	645	188	24	82	80	.351	.531	.882	4.1
2013	685	206	36	90	89	.393	.561	.954	5.9
2014	666	202	33	94	85	.388	.526	.914	4.8
2015	692	206	40	99	83	.376	.559	.935	5.0
2016	603	188	29	72	69	.375	.526	.891	4.2
2017	610	186	33	83	64	.362	.532	.894	4.3
2018	595	194	33	85	67	.386	.561	.947	5.2
2019	648	202	34	87	73	.389	.563	.952	5.6
2020	553	158	26	60	50	.379	.541	.920	4.2
2021	579	180	31	84	70	.392	.567	.959	5.4
2022	6515	1907	340	1132	1121	.362	.444	.806	6.9
2023	588	157	25	78	85	.267	.456	.723	3.3

Statistics of Paul Goldschmidt

Awards & Achievements of Paul Goldschmidt:

Awards and Honors of Paul Goldschmidt:

7× All-Star (2013–2018, 2022)
NL MVP (2022)
All-MLB First Team (2022)
4× Gold Glove Award (2013, 2015, 2017, 2021)
5× Silver Slugger Award (2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2022)
2× NL Hank Aaron Award (2013, 2022)
NL home run leader (2013)
NL RBI leader (2013)

Records and Milestones of Paul Goldschmidt:

Most home runs by a Diamondbacks rookie in a single season (8 in 2011)
Most home runs by a Diamondbacks player in a single season (36 in 2013)
Most RBIs by a Diamondbacks player in a single season (125 in 2013)
Most consecutive games with an extra-base hit by a Diamondbacks player (9 in 2017)
Most career home runs by a Diamondbacks player (209)
Most career RBIs by a Diamondbacks player (710)
Most career walks by a Diamondbacks player (598)
First player in MLB history to hit three home runs on Opening Day (in 2020 against the Brewers)
First player in MLB history to hit four home runs in his first four games with a new team (in 2019 with the Cardinals)
First player in MLB history to hit two home runs in his first two games with a new team (in 2019 with the Cardinals)
First player in MLB history to hit two home runs in his first game with a new team (in 2019 with the Cardinals)
First player in MLB history to hit a home run in his first at-bat with a new team (in 2019 with the Cardinals)
First player in Cardinals history to hit six home runs in his first nine games with the team (in 2019)
First player in Cardinals history to hit five home runs in his first seven games with the team (in 2019)
First player in Cardinals history to hit four home runs in his first four games with the team (in 2019)
First player in Cardinals history to hit three home runs on Opening Day (in 2020 against the Brewers)
First player in Cardinals history to hit two home runs on Opening Day twice (in 2020 and 2021)
First player in Cardinals history to hit two grand slams in one month (in August 2020)

Scouting Report of Paul Goldschmidt:

Category	Description
Hitting	Goldschmidt is one of the best all-around hitters in the league, who can hit for both average and power. He has a smooth and balanced swing that allows him to make hard contact and drive the ball to all fields. He has a high exit velocity and barrel rate, meaning he hits the ball with high speed and accuracy. He is a patient and selective hitter who can draw walks and get on base. He has a good eye and discipline at the plate, which helps him avoid strikeouts and bad pitches. He has a tendency to hit more ground balls than fly balls, which lowers his slugging percentage and home run rate.
Defense	Goldschmidt is a solid and reliable defender who can play both first base and outfield. He has a strong and accurate arm that can throw out runners or relay the ball to the infield. He also has good range and instincts on the field, which help him make plays or cover ground. He has won four Gold Glove Awards for his defense at first base in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2021.
Run	Goldschmidt is not very fast or agile, which limits his range and mobility on the field. He sometimes has trouble running the bases or scoring from second base on a single, which can cost his team runs. He is an average runner for a first baseman, but not a base-stealing threat. He has only stolen more than 20 bases in a season once in his career, in 2016.

Scouting Report of Paul Goldschmidt

Goldschmidt is one of the best hitters in the league, as he has posted an .907 OPS (on-base plus slugging) and 143 OPS+ (adjusted OPS) in his career as of September 23, 2023. He is the cleanup hitter for the Cardinals, meaning he bats fourth in the lineup and is responsible for driving in runs with his power hitting. He also provides leadership and experience to the team, as he is one of the longest-tenured players on the roster.

Goldschmidt has a bright future ahead of him, as he is still in his prime and under contract with the Cardinals for two more years. He signed a five-year extension worth $130 million with the Cardinals in 2019, making him one of the highest-paid first basemen in the game. He was selected to seven All-Star Games from 2013 to 2022, representing the National League. He also won the NL MVP award in 2022, after leading the league in batting average (.333), on-base percentage (.444), slugging percentage (.667), OPS (1.111), OPS+ (200), runs scored (132), hits (213), doubles (51), home runs (45), RBIs (136), walks (120), and WAR (10.5) . He is expected to continue to be one of the elite hitters in the game and help the Cardinals contend for titles.

FAQs about Paul Goldschmidt:

What is Paul Goldschmidt’s full name and date of birth?

Paul Goldschmidt’s full name is Paul Edward Goldschmidt and he was born on September 10, 1987 in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.

What team does Paul Goldschmidt play for and what is his position?

Paul Goldschmidt plays for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB) as a first baseman. He also represents the United States in international competition.

What are some of Paul Goldschmidt’s career achievements and awards?

Paul Goldschmidt is a seven-time MLB All-Star, a four-time Gold Glove Award winner, a five-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and the National League (NL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award winner in 2022. He also won two Hank Aaron Awards, the NL home run leader and the NL RBI leader in 2013.

What is Paul Goldschmidt’s batting average and home run total as of September 17, 2023?

Paul Goldschmidt has a career batting average of .293 and a total of 340 home runs as of September 17, 2023.

What is Paul Goldschmidt’s family background and religion?

Paul Goldschmidt’s parents are David and Kim, who met at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. 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. He and his two younger brothers were raised Catholic.