J. P. Arencibia

In a Game against the Boston Red Sox on September 7, Arencibia hit his 21st home run of the season, breaking a tie with John Buck for most home runs by a Blue Jays' catcher in a single season.

In his first MLB at-bat, Arencibia hit a two-run home run on the first pitch from James Shields, becoming the 28th player in history to hit a home run on his first MLB pitch.

In his following plate appearances, he hit a double, a single and then a solo home run and received a curtain call from the fans at the Rogers Centre while finishing the Game just a triple shy of hitting for the cycle.

Arencibia is the fifth player ever to hit two home runs in his first Game.

In addition, he became the first person in the modern era with four hits and two home runs in an MLB debut, a feat set 121 years before by Columbus Solons catcher Charlie Reilly.

Arencibia is also the first Blue Jay to have four hits in a debut, and the first Blue Jay since Junior Félix to hit a home run on his first at bat.

Jonathan Paul Arencibia (born January 5, 1986) is an American former professional baseball catcher.

He is currently serving as the bench coach for the Syracuse Mets.

As of June 4, Arencibia led all major league rookies with 9 home runs, which is already a Blue Jays club record for a rookie catcher, surpassing the previous record of five shared by Pat Borders (1988) and Greg Myers (1990).

He won the USA Baseball Richard W. "Dick" Case Player of the Year Award in 2006.

In the summer of 2006, Arencibia played baseball in Cuba with David Price, and would later be drafted 20 positions behind Price in 2007.

Prior to the 2007 draft, questions were raised about Arencibia's defensive abilities as a catcher.

After drafting him, however, the Blue Jays decided to keep him as a catcher, rather than convert him to another position, such as first base.

While attending college, Arencibia played with Chase Headley, Luke Hochevar, and Julio Borbon.

Arencibia was drafted 21st overall by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2007 MLB draft.

He was assigned to Toronto's Low A ball affiliate, the Auburn Doubledays of the New York–Penn League.

Arencibia struggled during the early part of the season but hit well during the stretch and into the playoffs, helping the Doubledays win the NY-Penn League championship.

He began the 2008 season with the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Florida State League.

By the FSL all-star break, he led the league or was near the top in many offensive categories, finishing the first half of the season batting .315 with 13 homers, 22 doubles and 62 RBI.

He was named as the starting catcher for the Western Division in the FSL All-Star Game.

After the Game, the Blue Jays promoted him to their Double-A team, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats of the Eastern League.

During the off-season of 2008, Arencibia took part in the Arizona Fall League as a member of the Phoenix Desert Dogs.

For the 2009 season, Arencibia was promoted to the Las Vegas 51s, the Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate in the Pacific Coast League.

He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers, and Tampa Bay Rays from 2010 through 2015.

Arencibia attended Westminster Christian School in Miami, Florida.

He also played football and basketball in high school, but excelled in baseball.

He later played for the Under-18 Florida Bombers, alongside future major leaguers Mat Latos, Gaby Sánchez, Yonder Alonso, and Jon Jay.

Arencibia attended the University of Tennessee, and played college baseball for the Tennessee Volunteers.

Arencibia was promoted to MLB on August 4, 2010 to replace the injured John Buck, who had been placed on the 15-day disabled list for a right thumb laceration.

At the time of his promotion, Arencibia was batting .303 with a PCL leading 31 home runs and 79 RBI

He started in his first MLB Game for the Toronto Blue Jays on August 7, 2010 against the Tampa Bay Rays.

On August 18, 2010, Arencibia was optioned back to Triple-A Las Vegas to make room for the return of John Buck from the disabled list.

He was recalled from Las Vegas on September 1.

In a Game against the Kansas City Royals on August 25, Arencibia hit his 20th home run of the season, tying the single season record for home runs by Blue Jays catchers (John Buck hit 20 in 2010).

While playing at home against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 29, Arencibia stole a base, his first career stolen base on his first attempt.

Arencibia was the starting catcher at the Blue Jays' 2011 home opener.

He hit the team's first home run of the season, a 2-run homer to deep center.

He finished the night with 2 home runs and a triple.

On May 7, he broke up Justin Verlander's perfect Game, being walked after a 12 pitch at-bat.

On June 3 against the Baltimore Orioles, Arencibia hit his first career grand slam in an 8–4 victory.