(1) Randy Arozarena, Tampa Bay Rays
Randy Arozarena has been the best storyline of the 2020 MLB Postseason. He’s been the best player in this postseason, the best player on the Tampa Bay Rays, the player generating the most headlines, and the player setting the most records.
Yet, before 2020, before the postseason, not many knew who Arozarena was. The 25-year-old rookie outfielder has now been dubbed the “Cuban Mookie Betts.” A speedy fielder with some serious pop at the plate, Arozarena was little known, even in baseball circles.
In two sporadic years with the Rays and St. Louis Cardinals, he owns less than 100 at-bats in the MLB. He’s recorded only eight home runs and 24 hits throughout his career.
But, enter the 2020 MLB Postseason and Arozarena has taken over. He’s carried the Rays to the World Series and down just three games to two, with a serious shot at the title. And after displaying one of the hottest postseason streaks in MLB history, Arozarena has dismantled the record book.
He now owns the most home runs in a single postseason with nine. He added another record in Game 5 of the World Series for the most hits in a single postseason. In Game 3, he broke Derek Jeter’s record for most hits in a single postseason by a rookie.
Throughout the postseason, Aroarenza is hitting .370 in 73 at-bats. The outfielder has recorded 27 hits, nine home runs, 13 RBIs, 18 runs scored, and a .808 slugging percentage. All in his rookie campaign.