Paul Edward Goldschmidt (born September 10, 1987) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played for the Arizona Diamondbacks (2011–2018) and the St. Louis Cardinals (2019–2024). Goldschmidt is a seven-time MLB All-Star, the 2022 National League (NL) Most Valuable Player (MVP), a four-time Gold Glove Award winner, and a five-time Silver Slugger Award winner—the most among first basemen in MLB history.
Early Life and College
Goldschmidt was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and grew up in The Woodlands, Texas, a suburb of Houston. He attended The Woodlands High School, where he played third base and won the Texas state championship in 2006. He enrolled at Texas State University, playing college baseball for the Bobcats. He was named the Southland Conference Hitter of the Year in 2008 and 2009 and the Southland Player of the Year in 2009. As a junior, he hit .352 with 18 home runs and 88 RBIs in 57 games, setting career records at Texas State for home runs (36) and RBIs (179).
Professional Career
Arizona Diamondbacks (2011–2018)
The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Goldschmidt in the eighth round (246th overall) of the 2009 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut on August 1, 2011, recording a hit in his first at-bat. In his rookie season, he batted .250 with eight home runs and 26 RBIs in 48 games. In the 2011 NL Division Series, he hit a grand slam—the third grand slam by a rookie in MLB postseason history.
Goldschmidt established himself as a premier player in 2013, leading the NL in home runs (36), RBIs (125), slugging percentage (.551), and OPS (.952). He finished second in NL MVP voting, won his first Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards, and was named to his first All-Star Game. He signed a five-year, $32 million contract extension before the 2013 season.
In 2015, Goldschmidt batted .321 with 33 home runs and 110 RBIs, finishing second in NL MVP voting for the second time. He led the NL in walks (118) and intentional walks (29). In 2017, he hit 36 home runs and 120 RBIs, finishing third in MVP voting. He recorded his 1,000th career hit on September 13, 2017. In 2018, he hit his 200th career home run and finished sixth in MVP voting.
St. Louis Cardinals (2019–2024)
On December 5, 2018, the Diamondbacks traded Goldschmidt to the St. Louis Cardinals for Luke Weaver, Carson Kelly, Andy Young, and a draft pick. On March 23, 2019, he signed a five-year, $130 million contract extension—the largest in Cardinals history at the time. In his second game with the team, he hit three home runs, becoming the first player in MLB history to hit three homers in either his first or second game with a new team.
Goldschmidt won the NL MVP Award in 2022, receiving 22 of 30 first-place votes. That season, he led the NL in slugging percentage (.578) and OPS (.981), batting .317 with 35 home runs and 115 RBIs. He also won his second Hank Aaron Award and fifth Silver Slugger Award. He recorded his 300th career home run and 1,000th career RBI during the 2022 season.
On July 26, 2024, Goldschmidt recorded his 2,000th career hit with a two-run home run against the Washington Nationals.
New York Yankees (2025–present)
On December 30, 2024, Goldschmidt signed a one-year, $12.5 million contract with the New York Yankees. In 2025, he appeared in 146 games, batting .274 with 10 home runs and 45 RBIs. On February 12, 2026, he re-signed with the Yankees on a one-year, $4 million contract.
International Career
Goldschmidt has represented the United States in three World Baseball Classics (2017, 2023, 2026), winning a gold medal in 2017 and silver medals in 2023 and 2026. He is the first player to appear for Team USA in three WBC tournaments.
Career Statistics
Through the 2026 season, Goldschmidt has a .288 batting average, 2,249 hits, 386 home runs, 1,273 RBIs, 1,311 runs scored, and 175 stolen bases over 16 MLB seasons. His career OPS is .882 with an OPS+ of 137.
Awards and Honors
- NL MVP (2022)
- 7× MLB All-Star (2013–2018, 2022)
- 4× Gold Glove Award (2013, 2015, 2017, 2021)
- 5× Silver Slugger Award (2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2022)
- 2× NL Hank Aaron Award (2013, 2022)
- NL home run leader (2013)
- NL RBI leader (2013)
- All-MLB First Team (2022)
Personal Life
Goldschmidt married his wife, Amy, in October 2010. They have two children. He graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Bachelor of Science degree in management in 2013. Raised Catholic, he became an evangelical Protestant as an adult. He established the charity "Goldy's Fund 4 Kids" to support Phoenix Children's Hospital.
