Kolten Wong, recognized for his stellar defensive skills and Gold Glove awards at second base, announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on May 19 after an impressive 11-season career. Wong, who made a significant impact during his time with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2021 and 2022, enjoyed his best offensive years while with the team, achieving career-high home run totals of 14 and 15 in his first two seasons, respectively. His performance during these years also marked the peak of his OPS+, a statistical measure that accounts for on-base percentage and slugging percentage adjusted for ballpark factors.
Wong initially joined the Brewers before the start of the 2021 season, coming in with a reputation as one of baseball’s premier defensive second basemen, having garnered two Gold Glove awards. However, his defensive metrics with Milwaukee reflected a below-average performance. Nonetheless, his overall contributions allowed him to accumulate 22.9 career Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
In December 2022, Wong was traded to the Seattle Mariners in a deal that involved Jesse Winker and Abraham Toro. Unfortunately, the trade did not pan out as expected for either party, with Wong struggling to maintain his performance in Seattle and being designated for assignment after just 66 games.
Throughout his career, Wong amassed impressive numbers, concluding with 973 hits, 512 runs scored, 86 home runs, 120 stolen bases, and an OPS of .719. He spent the first eight seasons of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he was notably a contender for the Rookie of the Year award in 2014 and received MVP votes in 2019.
Wong’s retirement marks the end of a notable chapter in MLB, and while his defensive abilities may have waned, his offensive contributions during his prime years reflect the hard work he put into his craft. His story serves as an inspiration to many young players aspiring to make their mark in professional baseball.