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Jonathan Aranda of the Tampa Bay Rays has made quite an impression early in the 2025 season, showcasing his skills with power hits and a strong offensive presence. Fans are left to wonder if this is the same player they saw last season, or a new version altogether.
Aranda’s 2024 campaign was marred by injury. Just a week before the season commenced, he suffered a broken finger during defensive drills at the Rays’ spring training facility in Port Charlotte, forcing him onto the injured list instead of beginning his first big league season on Opening Day. In the Grapefruit League, he had performed exceptionally well, posting a .371 batting average (13-for-35).
Upon returning from his injury in mid-May, Aranda faced challenges at the plate. In 18 games, he managed a .213 average and a .607 OPS, leading to a demotion to Triple-A Durham. He did, however, find his footing upon rejoining the Rays in late August, finishing the season strong with a .269 average over his final 20 games, ultimately ending with a .234 average and a .737 OPS. Notably, he hit safely in eight consecutive games and recorded hits in 12 of 13 games.
Reflecting on his comeback, Aranda expressed that his late-season performance has propelled his confidence into 2025. “I was able to be more aggressive, which has (carried over) to this year,” Aranda, who turns 27 on May 23, stated through interpreter Eddie Rodriguez.
The year 2025 has already brought remarkable success for Aranda. In the first few weeks, he participated in 20 of the Rays’ first 22 games, ranking high in several MLB offensive categories: fourth in on-base percentage (.438), fourth in slugging percentage (.677), fourth in OPS (1.115), and fifth in batting average (.355).
“I think it has been more of the chances and the opportunities that I have been given,” he noted. “I have been putting in the work the past (few) years, and now just having the opportunity has been great, and it is showing.”
One of the most exciting moments of the season came when Aranda hit a walk-off two-run homer against the New York Yankees in an exhilarating game. With the Rays trailing 8-4 going into the ninth, they orchestrated a comeback, scoring four runs to push the game into extra innings. Aranda’s homer off Yoendrys Gomez capped a thrilling 10-8 victory, igniting the crowd at Steinbrenner Field.
Manager Kevin Cash praised Aranda’s performance, recognizing his development: “Showed a lot of confidence and patience, kind of a veteran at-bat,” noted Cash, highlighting the hard work Aranda has done with hitting coach Chad Mottola and assistant hitting coach Brady North.
In a related incident, earlier in the game, Aranda had a close call when he collided with catcher Ben Rortvedt while pursuing a foul ball. Thankfully, he emerged relatively unscathed, suffering only minor cuts. This incident further reinforced the idea that Aranda has matured significantly since his MLB debut in 2022, as he expressed, “I don’t feel like a rookie anymore. I feel more mature, and it is showing.”
Defensive Improvements
Aranda spent the winter playing for Yaquis de Obregon in the Mexican Pacific Winter League primarily to refine his defensive skills. His goal was to enhance his performance at first base, especially since Yandy Diaz is expected to take on more designated hitter duties this season.
“I went there to work more on my defense,” Aranda explained. “The hitting comes and goes, so I was more focused on my defense.”
The effort appears to be paying off. Throughout the early part of the season, Aranda has showcased his versatility, playing both first and second base effectively. He has made several impressive plays, demonstrating solid defensive footwork around the first base bag, committing just one error over 14 games at the position.
“I feel very confident,” he stated, acknowledging his focus on improving his defensive game in the offseason. “Coming into (this season), I knew that defense was kind of my weakness. That’s why I worked on what I did while in the winter league, getting more reps and focusing on my defense.”
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