Aaron Whitefield

Aaron James Whitefield (born September 2, 1996) is an Australian professional baseball outfielder for the Sioux Falls Canaries of the American Association of Professional Baseball. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels.

Career
Whitefield began his career playing fastpitch softball. Whitefield won the bronze medal at the 2012 U-18 Men's Softball World Cup as a member of Australia's national softball team.

Minnesota Twins
After signing with the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball in 2015, Whitefield was assigned to the Gulf Coast Twins of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. He played in only seven games for the Twins due to visa issues. After the season, he played for the Brisbane Bandits of the Australian Baseball League (ABL) for 2015–16 ABL season. In 2016, Whitefield returned to the Gulf Coast League and played in 51 games, posting a .298 batting average with two home runs, 17 RBIs and 31 stolen bases. After the season, he played for the Brisbane Bandits of the ABL for 2016–17 ABL season and winning three consecutive championships with the club and the league MVP award.

In 2017, Whitefield played for the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Single–A Midwest League, where he batted .262 with 11 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 33 stolen bases. After the season, he played for the Brisbane Bandits of the ABL for 2017–18 ABL season. Whitfield spent the 2018 season with the Fort Myers Miracle of the High–A Florida State League. He hit .211 with two home runs, 25 stolen bases, and ten RBIs in 65 games. After the season, he joined to the Adelaide Bite of the ABL for the 2018–19 ABL season.

After the 2019 season, he joined to the Adelaide Bite of the ABL for the 2019–20 ABL season. On 29 June 2020, Whitefield made the Twins 60-man summer camp roster in 2020. He made the Twins Opening Day roster in 2020. On 25 July 2020, he made his MLB debut in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox as a pinch runner for Eddie Rosario. On August 10, Whitefield was outrighted off of the 40-man roster. Whitefield spent the 2021 season with Double-A Wichita Wind Surge, slashing .257/.327/.353 with 6 home runs and 58 RBI in 111 games. On November 7, 2021, he elected free agency.

Los Angeles Angels
On 10 November 2021, Whitefield signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels organization. On 8 May 2022, he was promoted to the Angels' main roster after playing for the Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas of the Southern League, where he batted .301 with 5 home runs, 17 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases. Whitefield was designated for assignment on 14 May 2022. He cleared waivers on 18 May, and was outrighted to Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas. On 14 October, Whitefield re–signed with the Angels organization on a minor league contract.

Whitefield began the 2023 season back with Double–A Rocket City. In 37 games, he hit just .191/.280/.324 with 3 home runs, 13 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. On 19 June 2023, Whitefield was released by the Angels organization.

Kansas City Monarchs
On 27 June 2023, Whitefield signed with the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Association of Professional Baseball. In 29 games, he batted .234/.317/.262 with no home runs, 5 RBI, and 11 stolen bases.

Sioux Falls Canaries
On August 20, 2023, Whitefield was traded to the Sioux Falls Canaries in exchange for cash and future considerations. On January 19, 2024, Whitefield re-signed with the Canaries.

International career
Whitefield has played for the Australian national baseball team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic Qualification in 2016, 2017 World Baseball Classic  2019 WBSC Premier12, and 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Personal life
Whitefield's father, John, played fastpitch softball for New Zealand's national team, and his mother, Nicole Molander, played softball in Queensland and for the Australian national team.