D-backs agree to a five-year contract with Paul Goldschmidt

The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed with infielder Paul Goldschmidt on a five-year contract through 2018 with a club option for 2019, according to D-backs Executive Vice President & General Manager Kevin Towers.

"This is the only place I wanted to be so I'm thrilled to know that I will be here long-term," said Goldschmidt. "I can't wait for the season to start, and I hope that we can bring another World Championship to the fans of Arizona."

Last season, the 25-year old set franchise marks for first basemen with 43 doubles and a .497 slugging percentage while his 81 RBI at first base were the second-most all-time behind Adam LaRoche's 100 RBI in 2010. Goldschmidt also became the only first baseman in club history with at least 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases in a season. Overall, he hit .286 (147-for-514) with 43 doubles, a triple, 20 homers, 82 RBI and 60 walks in 145 games.

Among all first basemen since 2011 (min. 725 PA), Goldschmidt's .849 OPS is sixth-best trailing only Joey Votto (.982), Prince Fielder (.965), Albert Pujols (.903), Adrian Gonzalez (.898) and Paul Konerko (.880). Goldschmidt's .996 fielding percentage since 2011 is tied for second-best among NL first basemen with LaRoche and Gaby Sanchez behind Todd Helton's .997 mark. Among NL players since August 1, 2011, his 52 doubles are fifth-most behind Votto (61), Aramis Ramirez (59), teammate Aaron Hill (56) and David Wright (53).

Goldschmidt is one of 9 players since 2011 to hit at least .270 with 180 hits, 50 doubles, 25 homers, 100 RBI, 20 stolen bases, a .350 on-base percentage, a .480 slugging percentage and an .825 OPS. The other eight players are Ryan Braun, Melky Cabrera, Jacoby Ellsbury, Edwin Encarnacion, Carlos Gonzalez, Matt Kemp, Andrew McCutchen and Justin Upton. Among those players, he has the fewest games (193, next closest is 232) and at-bats (670, next closest is 963).

Over parts of 2 seasons with the D-backs, he has batted .278 (186-for-670) with 52 doubles, 2 triples, 28 homers and 108 RBI. In the 2011 NL Division Series, he hit .438 (7-for-16) with 2 homers and 6 RBI in 4 games vs. Brewers. The 2011 USA Today Minor League Player of the Year and Southern League Most Valuable Player hit .306 (112-for-366) with 30 homers, 94 RBI and 82 walks in 103 games for Double-A Mobile. At the time he was called up to the Majors on August 1, 2011, he led all Minor Leaguers in homers and RBI and ranked second in walks.

Goldschmidt was the D-backs' organizational Player of the Year and California League Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year in 2010. He was the D-backs eighth-round selection in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft out of Texas State University.