Alexander Armenta

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Armenta and the second or maternal family name is Castro.
Alexander Armenta
Armenta in 2023
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks – No. 135
Pitcher
Born: (2004-06-26) 26 June 2004
Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Stats at Baseball Reference 
Teams

José Alexander Armenta Castro (born 26 June 2004) is a Mexican professional baseball pitcher for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He debuted for the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League (LMB) at the age of 16.

Early life

Armenta was born on 26 June 2004 in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico,[1] the son of Julio César Armenta and Mónica Castro, growing up in the small community of Olas Altas.[2] He began playing baseball in the Liga Teodoro Higuera at age seven.[3] After four seasons, Armenta moved to the Liga de Beisbol de Ahome,[4] where he represented his community of Olas Altas.[5][6][7] He also participated in the inaugural season of the Liga de Beisbol Juvenil Mingo Vázquez Márquez in 2021, leading the league with 49 strikeouts.[8]

Armenta represented Olas Altas at the adult level in the Liga de Beisbol Humberto López Pineda.[9]

Professional career

Tigres de Quintana Roo

At age 15, Armenta signed with the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League (LMB).[10] In 2020, he signed with his hometown team, the Cañeros de Los Mochis of the Mexican Pacific League (LMP), as a Primera Firma (lit. 'First Signing')[a] at the recommendation of a team scout.[3][10]

Armenta made his professional debut with the Tigres on 23 June 2021, a few days before his 17th birthday, pitching a scoreless inning with one strikeout in a 3–2 in over the Pericos de Puebla.[8][12] He made a second appearance on 8 July, recording one strikeout over three scoreless innings against the Diablos Rojos del México.[12]

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

On 24 September 2021, it was announced that Armenta would continue his development with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) after coming a historic agreement with the Tigres. He become the first Mexican League prospect to sign with a Japanese team.[12] Armenta was officially presented by the team in March 2022.[2] He joined their farm team in the Western League of NPB's minor leagues in 2022.[4] In 2025, Armenta posted a 3.47 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 46.2 innings pitched.[13]

International career

Armenta was selected to play for the Mexico national baseball team at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. He was the youngest player named to the squad.[14] Before joining Team Mexico, Armenta took the mound for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in a friendly game against the Japan national baseball team at Sun Marine Stadium on February 23, recording three strikeouts over two scoreless innings.[15] He later suited up for Mexico in a friendly game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 3, giving up one run and striking out Pavin Smith in one inning of work.[16]

Ahead of the tournament, Mexico general manager Rodrigo López called Armenta a "big prospect" and added that he was "going to surprise everyone and be a key player for [the team]."[17][18]

References

  1. ^ This mechanism allows each LMP team to protect up to three local youth players before that year's draft.[11]
  1. ^ "Alexander Armenta" (in Spanish). Baseball Reference. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  2. ^ a b García, Efrén (17 March 2022). "Beisbol: Presentan en Japón al pelotero ahomense Alexander Armenta". Debate.com.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  3. ^ a b "Cañeros firma a Alexander Armenta" (in Spanish). Cañeros de Los Mochis. 3 July 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  4. ^ a b Baldenebro, Armando (9 November 2022). ""Es un beisbol muy fuerte el de allá": Alexander Armenta lanzó en Japón y habla de su experiencia". Línea Directa Portal (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  5. ^ Jordan, José (25 February 2015). "Ahome Independencia-Agrícola Pablos, campeón". Debate.com.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  6. ^ "Olas Altas blanquea a la Villa de Ahome". Debate.com.mx (in Spanish). 25 November 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  7. ^ Rojas, Roberto (15 July 2016). "Mariscal Agrícola-Babatsa es campeón de la 9-10". Debate.com.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  8. ^ a b Álvarez Palafox, Jesús (24 June 2021). "Alexander Armenta, primer fruto de la Liga Juvenil Mingo Vázquez". SqueezePlay.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  9. ^ Álvarez Palafox, Jesús (8 December 2020). "Rockies del Colorado se afianzan en el Beisbol López Pineda". SqueezePlay.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  10. ^ a b "Listo Alexander Armenta para viajar a Japón" (in Spanish). Cañeros de Los Mochis. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  11. ^ Hernández, Francisco (8 June 2021). "¿Qué es una primera firma en la Liga Arco Mexicana del Pacífico?". El Sol de Hermosillo (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  12. ^ a b c "Tigres hace historia; la joya, Alexander Armenta emigra al béisbol nipón" (in Spanish). Tigres de Quintana Roo. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  13. ^ Mote Nava, Luis (12 February 2026). "La historia de Alexander Armenta, pitcher que lanza en Japón y representará a México en el Clásico Mundial de Béisbol". Infobae (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  14. ^ Cano, Jesús (5 February 2026). "2026 Mexico World Baseball Classic Roster". Baseball America. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  15. ^ "[Softbank Hawks] Development monster Armenta, a member of the Mexico WBC team, goes on a slashing spree, allowing no runs in two innings and striking out three strike out". Pacific League. February 23, 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  16. ^ "Mexico 6, D-backs 3 Final Score (03/03/2026)". Major League Baseball. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  17. ^ Gilbert, Steve (3 March 2026). "Why Team Mexico believes it has pieces to make another deep run" (in Spanish). Major League Baseball. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  18. ^ Chávez, Isac (4 March 2026). "De Los Mochis a Japón: Alexander Armenta levanta la mano con México en el Clásico". El Sol de Mazatlán (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 March 2026.
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