Alexander Armenta

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, the son of Julio César Armenta and Mónica Castro, growing up in the small community of Olas Altas. He began playing baseball in the Liga Teodoro Higuera at age seven. After four seasons, Armenta moved to the Liga de Beisbol de Ahome, where he represented his community of Olas Altas. He also participated in the inaugural season of the Liga de Beisbol Juvenil Mingo Vázquez Márquez in 2021, leading the league with 49 strikeouts.

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

Professional career Tigres de Quintana Roo At age 15, Armenta signed with the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League (LMB). In 2020, he signed with his hometown team, the Cañeros de Los Mochis of the Mexican Pacific League (LMP), as a Primera Firma at the recommendation of a team scout. He made a second appearance on 8 July, recording one strikeout over three scoreless innings against the Diablos Rojos del México.

Armenta made his NPB debut on 27 May 2026, starting against the Yomiuri Giants.

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. 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. 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.

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]."