Career Stats:
| YR | Team | AVG | GP | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | TB | RBI | R | K | BB | HBP | S | SF | SB | CS | GIDP | OBP | SLG | OPS | RISP | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Tigers | .276 | 66 | 225 | 203 | 56 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 76 | 25 | 18 | 55 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | .342 | .374 | .717 | .309 | 4 |
| 2019 | Tigers | .209 | 15 | 45 | 43 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .244 | .256 | .500 | .182 | 0 |
| Career | .264 | 81 | 270 | 246 | 65 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 87 | 27 | 19 | 64 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | .326 | .354 | .680 | .288 | 4 |
Short Biography:
Efren Navarro was drafted in 2007 by the Los Angeles Angels in the 50th round. He toiled in their farm system until September 2011, when he made his debut on the top squad after a September callup. He then spent 2012 in the minors before getting more playing time in 2013. He hit his first career home run against none other than Justin Verlander, but that was not enough to stop him from being designated for assignment at the start of 2016. After shuffling through the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners organizations, he ended up playing ball in Mexico in the second half of 2016. He returned to the majors with the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs, but after a brief call-up spelling Anthony Rizzo, he was released by the Cubs in June 2018 to sign with Hanshin.
Navarro was expected to spell Wilin Rosario, who failed to meet management’s expectations when they signed him to a lucrative contract before the 2018 season. Upon arrival in Japan on June 16, he spent just under two weeks on the farm (participating in just 3 games) before getting called up on June 29 as the Tigers faced the Swallows at Jingu. He got his first hit and first RBI in his first career at-bat as he pinch-hit in the top of the ninth that same day. He got most of his playing time at first base, but also was put in the outfield for parts of 21 games, including one game in center field. Ultimately, he ended the year strongly, hitting .353 in September and earning himself a contract for 2019.
The Tigers also picked up Jefry Marte, who was expected to bump Navarro down to the farm immediately. Things did not go according to plan, as Marte injured his calf during exhibition play, and Navarro started the campaign on the top squad. By doing so, he became the first import in team history since Mike Solomko (1960-61) to come to Japan midseason, sign on for a second year, and seeing action on Opening Day. He crushed a double on that day and looked to pick up where he left off in 2018, but struggled to get his average up during his next 14 games.
As it turns out, he was just a place keeper for Marte, who got called up at the end of April, and because of import rules, Navarro got shuffled to the farm and never returned to the top squad the rest of the way. His farm numbers were not very stellar, and at the end of the year, the club announced his release.
Navarro represented Mexico in the Premier 12 Tournament held in Japan in November, hitting a respectable .286 while slugging .500 and getting the walk-off single that punched Team Mexico’s ticket to the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Related Articles:
Navarro Press Conference (June 17, 2018)
Ex-Tiger: “No Doubt Navarro Will Be Great” (June 13, 2018)