Alexi Amarista is a Venezuelan shortstop from Barcelona, Anzoátegui who spent more than a decade in professional baseball, debuting in the majors on April 26, 2011. His MLB résumé was built on defensive reliability and versatility rather than big offensive numbers — his final big-league season with Colorado in 2017 ended with a .238 average. But in the Venezuelan winter league, Amarista has found a second career peak: a .344 average and an .874 OPS across 54 games for Bravos de Margarita in 2025-26.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Alexi Amarista
- Position: Shortstop
- Team: Bravos de Margarita (LVBP)
- Number: 2
- Bats / Throws: Left / Right
- Height / Weight: 5’6″ / 161 lbs
- Born: April 6, 1989 (age 37) — Barcelona, Venezuela
- MLB debut: April 26, 2011
- Country: Venezuela 🇻🇪
Background
Amarista is a product of Venezuela’s deep baseball pipeline, born in Barcelona, Anzoátegui on April 6, 1989. He made his professional debut on April 26, 2011, and carved out a long career as a versatile infielder — the kind of guy every roster needs: solid glove, baseball IQ, and the ability to play multiple positions without missing a beat. As a left-handed hitter who throws right, he fits the classic utility-man mold.
Professional Career
Amarista’s MLB career included stops with the San Diego Padres (2015–2016) and the Colorado Rockies (2017). In San Diego he posted 67 hits over 328 at-bats across two seasons, combining for a .231 average and a .555 OPS. His best RBI season came in 2015, when he drove in 30 runs over 128 games — though his average sat at just .204. In Colorado in 2017, his final big-league campaign, he went 21-for-88 (.238) with 3 home runs and 19 RBI in 47 games. The offensive numbers were never eye-popping, but his defensive dependability and versatility kept him on competitive rosters for years.
MLB Stats
- 2017 — Colorado Rockies: .238 AVG | 3 HR | 19 RBI | 22 R | .620 OPS | 1 SB
- 2016 — San Diego Padres: .257 AVG | 0 HR | 11 RBI | 9 R | .566 OPS | 9 SB
- 2015 — San Diego Padres: .204 AVG | 3 HR | 30 RBI | 28 R | .544 OPS | 5 SB
Winter Ball Renaissance
Amarista is one of the cornerstones of Bravos de Margarita in Venezuela’s LVBP. His 2025-26 season was outstanding: 77 hits, a .344 average, and an .874 OPS over 54 games — one of the most consistent offensive performances on the team. The previous winter he also suited up for Tigres de Aragua before landing in Margarita, where he’s found a real home.
The early returns from the 2026-27 campaign look strong too, with a .329 average and .811 OPS through 17 games. At 37, he keeps showing that experience and technical adjustments can be just as valuable as youth.
LVBP Stats
- 2026-27 — Bravos de Margarita: 17 G | .329 AVG | 0 HR | 9 RBI | .811 OPS | 23 H
- 2025-26 — Bravos de Margarita: 54 G | .344 AVG | 5 HR | 43 RBI | .874 OPS | 77 H
- 2024-25 — Bravos de Margarita: 17 G | .368 AVG | 2 HR | 13 RBI | .957 OPS | 25 H
- 2024-25 — Tigres de Aragua: 12 G | .296 AVG | 1 HR | 8 RBI | .735 OPS | 16 H
Fun Fact
Here’s a twist worth appreciating: during his MLB prime (ages 25–28), Amarista hovered around a .230 average. Now, deep into his 30s and playing winter ball in Venezuela, he’s hitting well above .340. The numbers suggest that what he lost in athleticism he’s more than made up for in pitch recognition and situational hitting — a rare kind of aging curve that goes the right direction.
