Exploring the Fascinating Nationality of MLB Star Jake Arrieta!

Anchored to the Major League Baseball (MLB) landscape is the story of the four-time All-Star, former National League Cy Young Award winner, and two-time World Series champion, Jake Arrieta. Born and raised in Farmington, Missouri, Arrieta is one of the highest-paid and most successful pitchers in MLB history. Yet, Arrieta’s heritage is an intriguing blend of different cultures. A fact that makes him unique from many other top-tier MLB players.

Arrieta’s Father

Arrieta’s father, Joe, was born and raised in the Dominican Republic and initially moved to the United States for college. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from the University of Tennessee and eventually settled in Missouri. Joe was a natural athlete and was even signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a minor league catcher. Although he never was able to make it to the show, his athletic career was highlighted as he was selected to the Dominican Republic National Team.

Arrieta’s Mother

Arrieta’s mother, Linda, is a Georgia native who had a long career in nursing. Her parents are of English and German descent. Jake commented that his mother’s side of the family is filled with a long lineage of military men and women.

Early Baseball Career

Although he did not grow up in an area with a strong baseball background, Arrieta was very interested in the game from a young age. He was inspired by his father’s stories about playing for the Dominican Republic National Team. Arrieta quickly began to pick up the sport and eventually went on to star at Farmington High School.

At Farmington, Arrieta was a multi-sport star, earning letters in baseball, football, and basketball. On the diamond, Arrieta excelled, going 5-1 with a 1.00 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 34 innings pitched during his senior campaign. His performance caught the eye of scouts and he was subsequently drafted in the fifth round of the 2004 MLB draft by the Milwaukee Brewers.

College Career

Arrieta decided to attend the University of Texas, where he quickly settled into a key role in the Longhorns’ pitching staff. In his freshman campaign, he went 5-2 with a 3.17 ERA in 16 games (15 starts). Over the next three years, Arrieta continued to develop, culminating with a 2008 season that saw him go 12-4 with a 2.35 ERA in 16 starts. The stellar performances earned him a spot on the All Big-12 First Team and Big-12 Baseball Player of the Year.

MLB Career

Arrieta’s performance at the University of Texas caught the eye of the Baltimore Orioles, who selected him in the fifth round of the 2007 MLB draft. He was assigned to the Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds and in 2009, he was promoted to the Double-A Bowie Baysox.

In 2010, Arrieta earned a promotion to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides and was eventually called up to the majors. In his first season, Arrieta went 10-8 with a 4.66 ERA in 31 games (30 starts). Over the next four seasons, Arrieta was a reliable starter for the Orioles, going a combined 39-30 with a 3.65 ERA in 97 starts.

The Trade to the Cubs

In the summer of 2013, the Orioles traded Arrieta to the Chicago Cubs for fellow pitcher Scott Feldman and catcher Steve Clevenger. Arrieta was initially troubled by the trade, but he and the Cubs quickly found success.

In his first season with the Cubs, Arrieta went 10-5 with a 2.53 ERA in 25 starts. His performances earned him the National League Cy Young Award and he was subsequently the runner up in the NL Cy Young voting the following season.

Jake Arrieta’s Dominance

Arrieta was a dominant force for the Cubs, becoming one of the most feared pitchers in all of baseball. From 2015 to 2017, he had a 1.77 ERA in 92 starts and went a combined 49-19. He also posted an incredible 0.90 WHIP in his final season in Chicago, helping the Cubs win the NL Central Division title.

Arrieta was a key cog in the Cubs’ World Series run, going 3-1 with a 3.08 ERA in five postseason starts. His stellar performance culminated with a complete game, shutout win in Game Six of the World Series against the Indians.

Post Cubs Career

Following the 2016 World Series victory, Arrieta opted to enter free agency and was eventually signed by the Philadelphia Phillies to a three-year, $75 million contract. He had an up and down stint in Philadelphia, going a combined 22-23 with a 4.36 ERA in 63 starts.

In 2021, Arrieta signed with the Chicago White Sox and is currently back in the Windy City. Although his tenure in Philadelphia was not as successful as his first stint with the Cubs, Arrieta is still one of the most talented pitchers in the MLB and is looking to recapture the form that made him a four-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion.

Conclusion

Jake Arrieta’s nationality is an intriguing blend of Dominican, American, and European cultures. His father’s experiences in the Dominican Republic sparked an interest in the game of baseball and his mother’s lineage of military service has served as a source of inspiration and motivation.

Arrieta’s career in the MLB has been nothing short of incredible. He has earned four All-Star selections, won a National League Cy Young Award, and has two World Series rings. His journey is one of perseverance, dedication, and unwavering belief in himself. As he continues to write his story in the MLB, there is no doubt that his unique nationality has molded him into one of the best pitchers in the game.