Aaron Whitefield

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Aaron Whitefield

| image = Aaron Whitefield cropped from 202311191126 DSCN8922.jpg

| caption = Whitefield with the Australia national baseball team in 2023

| position = Outfielder

| team = Sioux Falls Canaries

| number =

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|9|2}}

| birth_place = Brisbane, Queensland

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = 25 July

| debutyear = 2020

| debutteam = Minnesota Twins

| statleague = MLB

| statyear = 2022 season

| stat1label = Batting average

| stat1value = .000

| stat2label = Home runs

| stat2value = 0

| stat3label = Runs batted in

| stat3value = 0

| baseball_ref =

| teams =

Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2020}})
Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2022}})

}}

Aaron James Whitefield (born September 2, 1996) is an Australian professional baseball outfielder for the Sioux Falls Canaries of the American Association of Professional Baseball. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels.

Career

Whitefield began his career playing fastpitch softball. Whitefield won the bronze medal at the 2012 U-18 Men's Softball World Cup as a member of Australia's national softball team.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-whitefield-was-first-a-softball-star | title=Before he was a Major Leaguer, Whitefield was an Aussie softball star | website=MLB.com }}

=Minnesota Twins=

After signing with the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball in 2015, Whitefield was assigned to the Gulf Coast Twins of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. He played in only seven games for the Twins due to visa issues.{{cite web|url=http://twinsdaily.com/_/minnesota-twins-news/minnesota-twins-minor-leagues/get-to-know-of2b-aaron-whitefield-r4348|title=Get To Know: OF/2B Aaron Whitefield|publisher=Twins Daily|accessdate=January 13, 2018}} After the season, he played for the Brisbane Bandits of the Australian Baseball League (ABL) for 2015–16 ABL season. In 2016, Whitefield returned to the Gulf Coast League and played in 51 games, posting a .298 batting average with two home runs, 17 RBIs and 31 stolen bases. After the season, he played for the Brisbane Bandits of the ABL for 2016–17 ABL season and winning three consecutive championships with the club and the league MVP award.

In 2017, Whitefield played for the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Single–A Midwest League,{{cite web|url=http://www.thegazette.com/cr-kernels-outfielder-aaron-whitefield-makes-the-jump-from-softball-to-baseball-20170416 |title=C.R. Kernels outfielder Aaron Whitefield makes the jump from softball to baseball |publisher=The Gazette |date=April 15, 2017 |accessdate=July 28, 2020}} where he batted .262 with 11 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 33 stolen bases.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/aaron-whitefield-664334|title=Aaron Whitefield Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=January 13, 2018}} After the season, he played for the Brisbane Bandits of the ABL for 2017–18 ABL season. Whitfield spent the 2018 season with the Fort Myers Miracle of the High–A Florida State League. He hit .211 with two home runs, 25 stolen bases, and ten RBIs in 65 games.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/aaron-whitefield-664334|title=Aaron Whitefield Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=Minor League Baseball|access-date=December 28, 2018}} After the season, he joined to the Adelaide Bite of the ABL for the 2018–19 ABL season.{{cite web|url=http://web.theabl.com.au/news/article.jsp?ymd=20180816&content_id=290584052&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_t4064&sid=t4064|title=League MVP Whitefield Signs with Bite|date=August 16, 2018|accessdate=August 16, 2018}}

After the 2019 season, he joined to the Adelaide Bite of the ABL for the 2019–20 ABL season. On June 29, Whitefield made the Twins 60-man summer camp roster for the 2020 season,{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/twins/press-release/2020-minnesota-twins-60-man-roster-release | title=2020 Minnesota Twins 60-Man Roster | work=MLB.com | date=June 29, 2020 | accessdate=July 28, 2020}} ending up on the Opening Day roster.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/twins-2020-opening-day-projected-roster | title=Twins set their 2020 Opening Day roster | work=MLB.com | date=July 23, 2020 | accessdate=July 28, 2020 }}{{cite web | url=https://baseball.com.au/news/twins-name-two-aussies-to-opening-day-roster/ | title=TWINS NAME TWO AUSSIES TO OPENING DAY ROSTER | work=Baseball.com au | date=July 24, 2020 | accessdate=July 28, 2020 }} On July 25, he made his MLB debut in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox as a pinch runner for Eddie Rosario.{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Twins vs. White Sox Box Score {{!}} 7/25/20|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/twins-vs-white-sox/2020/07/25/631515#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=631515|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725215503/https://www.mlb.com/gameday/twins-vs-white-sox/2020/07/25/631515 |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |access-date=July 27, 2020|website=MLB.com}}{{cite web | url=https://baseball.com.au/news/whitefield-becomes-35th-aussie-to-play-mlb/ | title=WHITEFIELD BECOMES 35TH AUSSIE TO PLAY MLB | work=Baseball.com au | date=July 26, 2020 | accessdate=July 28, 2020 }} On August 10, Whitefield was outrighted off of the 40-man roster. Whitefield spent the 2021 season with Double-A Wichita Wind Surge, slashing .257/.327/.353 with 6 home runs and 58 RBI in 111 games. On November 7, 2021, he elected free agency.{{cite web|title=2021-22 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2021-22-minor-league-free-agents-for-all-30-mlb-teams/?amphtml|access-date=January 19, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 9, 2021 |language=en}}

=Los Angeles Angels=

On November 10, 2021, Whitefield signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels organization.{{Cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/11/minor-mlb-transactions-11-10-21.html | title=Minor MLB Transactions: 11/10/21 | date=November 10, 2021 }} On May 8, 2022, he was promoted to the Angels' main roster after playing for the Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas of the Southern League, where he batted .301 with 5 home runs, 17 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases.{{Cite web |title=Aaron Whitefield Promoted To Angels |url=https://www.milb.com/news/whitefield-promoted-to-angels |access-date=May 9, 2022 |website=Minor League Baseball |language=en}} Whitefield was designated for assignment on May 14, 2022. He cleared waivers 4 days later, and was outrighted to Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas. On October 14, Whitefield re–signed with the Angels organization on a minor league contract.{{Cite web|title=Angels Re-Sign Three To Minor League Deals|url=https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/amp/angels_re_sign_three_to_minor_league_deals/s1_13237_37995417|access-date=June 29, 2023|website=yardbarker.com|language=en}}

Whitefield began the 2023 season back with Double–A Rocket City. In 37 games, he hit just .191/.280/.324 with 3 home runs, 13 RBI, and 12 stolen bases.{{Cite web|title=Angels' Aaron Whitefield: Moved to minor-league camp|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/angels-aaron-whitefield-moved-to-minor-league-camp/|access-date=June 19, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=22 March 2023 |language=en}} On June 19, 2023, Whitefield was released by the Angels organization.{{Cite tweet|number=1670947067362152448|date=June 19, 2023|user=trashpandas|title=As part of today's roster moves, the Angels announced the release of Aaron Whitefield, Ryan Aguilar, and Kevin Maitan. We thank them for their contributions to the Trash Pandas and the Rocket City community these past two seasons, and we wish them well on their next endeavors.}}

=Kansas City Monarchs=

On 27 June 2023, Whitefield signed with the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Association of Professional Baseball.{{cite web | url=https://aabaseball.com/transactions/ | title=American Association of Professional Baseball - 2023 Transactions}} In 29 games, he batted .234/.317/.262 with no home runs, 5 RBI, and 11 stolen bases.

=Sioux Falls Canaries=

On August 20, 2023, Whitefield was traded to the Sioux Falls Canaries in exchange for cash and future considerations.{{Cite web|title=2023 Transactions|url=https://aabaseball.com/transactions/|access-date=August 20, 2023|website=aabaseball.com|language=en}} In 12 games he hit .250/.346/.455 with 2 home runs, 9 RBIs and 7 stolen bases.

On January 19, 2024, Whitefield re-signed with the Canaries.{{Cite web|title=2024 Transactions|url=https://aabaseball.com/2024-transactions/|access-date=January 19, 2023|website=aabaseball.com|language=en}} He did not appear in a game during the 2024 season.

International career

Whitefield has played for the Australian national baseball team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic Qualification in 2016,{{cite web|last=Reusse |first=Patrick |url=http://www.startribune.com/thorpe-has-the-look-of-a-pitcher-even-as-he-eases-back-from-elbow-surgery/368766611/ |title=Reusse: Thorpe has the look of a pitcher, even as he eases back from elbow surgery |website=StarTribune.com |date=14 February 2016 |accessdate=23 February 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/gophers-p-j-fleck-was-up-to-challenge-of-short-recruiting-time/412500623/ |title=Hartman: Fleck was up to challenge of short recruiting time |website=StarTribune.com |date=2 February 2017 |accessdate=23 February 2017}} 2017 World Baseball Classic{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.startribune.com/eleven-minnesota-twins-on-world-baseball-classic-rosters/413269943/ |title=Eleven Minnesota Twins on World Baseball Classic rosters |website=StarTribune.com |date=9 February 2017 |accessdate=23 February 2017}}{{cite web|last=Berardino |first=Mike |url=http://www.twincities.com/2016/01/27/nine-with-minnesota-twins-ties-make-team-australia-for-wbc-qualifier/ |title=Nine with Twins ties make Team Australia for WBC qualifier |website=Twincities.com |date= 28 January 2016|accessdate=23 February 2017}} 2019 WBSC Premier12,{{cite web | url=https://baseball.com.au/news/boral-team-australias-premier12-roster-announced/ | title=BORAL TEAM AUSTRALIA'S PREMIER12 ROSTER ANNOUNCED | work=baseball.com.au | author=DAVID PENROSE | date=8 October 2019 | accessdate=15 October 2019 }} and 2023 World Baseball Classic.{{cite web | url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/baseball/news/australia-world-baseball-classic-roster-2023/oxer8dtnee5ygo2mkrrr6t61 | title=Australia World Baseball Classic roster: Liam Spence, Aaron Whitefield headline 2023 WBC team | date=3 March 2023 }}

Personal life

Whitefield's father, John, played fastpitch softball for New Zealand's national team, and his mother, Nicole Molander, played softball in Queensland and for the Australian national team.{{cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/abl-2017-brisbane-bandit-plans-hit-and-run-title-raid-against-melbourne/news-story/4405f3dfb7a36fe8faffb69a4ac25578?nk=e5755d85422eb47725ab69b11f7a9b63-1486842856 |title=BL 2017: Brisbane Bandit plans hit and run title raid against Melbourne |newspaper=Couriermail |accessdate=23 February 2017}}

References

External links

{{baseballstats|mlb=664334|espn=41064|br=w/whiteaa01|fangraphs=sa886360|brm=whitef000aar|retro=}}, or [http://web.theabl.com.au/player/index.jsp?sid=l595&player_id=664334 ABL]