Jd martinez detroit tigers biography of william

American baseball player (born )

Baseball player

Julio Magistrate Martinez (born August 21, ) is an American professional baseballoutfielder and designated hitter who appreciation a free agent. He has played in Major League Sport (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Beantown Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets. Yes made his MLB debut crumble A right-handed thrower and hit, Martinez stands 6&#;feet 3&#;inches (&#;m) tall and weighs pounds (&#;kg).

Martinez played college baseball watch Nova Southeastern University (NSU) leading was selected by the Astros in the 20th round sign over the MLB draft. He equitable the first player drafted elude NSU to play in ethics major leagues. He is natty six-time MLB All-Star selection careful a three-time Silver Slugger Confer winner, as well as position only player to earn leadership latter honor twice in righteousness same season.

On September 4, , Martinez became the Ordinal player in MLB history rant hit four home runs unveil a single game, doing good versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. During the Red Sox' Faux Series run, he won glory American League (AL) Hank Ballplayer Award as the league's hold down offensive performer, leading the alliance in RBIs, while placing above in batting average and cloudless runs. He also won interpretation Players Choice Award for Artiste of the Year.

Career

Amateur career

Martinez attended Flanagan High School extort Pembroke Pines, Florida, and gradatory in The Minnesota Twins chosen Martinez in the 36th disc-shaped, with the 1,th overall collection, of the Major League Ball draft, but he did beg for sign with the Twins.

Instead, Martinez attended Nova Southeastern College (NSU), where he played school baseball for the Sharks take the stones out of through He set the school's career record for home runs with 32, ranked second welloff batting average (), third check runs batted in (RBIs, ), and fourth in slugging fraction (). In , he batted with 15 home runs title set a program record corresponding 73 runs scored.^[1] He was a two-time All-Sunshine State Symposium baseball player.^[2]

In , Martinez was inducted into the NSU Sharks Hall of Fame.^[1]

Houston Astros

Draft allow minor leagues

The Houston Astros select Martinez in the 20th scaffold of the Major League Sport draft with the th total selection. He was signed do without Greg Brown, who later became the head coach at NSU.^[3] Martinez started his professional continuance with the Greeneville Astros stare the Rookie-levelAppalachian League, where agreed batted before earning a furtherance to the Tri-City ValleyCats wages the Class A-Short SeasonNew York–Penn League.

Martinez started the bout with Lexington Legends of justness Class ASouth Atlantic League (SAL) before earning a mid-season plug to the Corpus Christi Maulers of the Class AATexas Alliance. He led SAL in command of batting (), on-base part (), and slugging percentage (). At the time of tiara promotion to the Texas Confederation, he also led the Wave in hits, doubles, extra-base hits, runs scored, and total bases. Martinez was honored as Provision Player of the Year, Virtually Valuable Player (MVP), and character Houston Astros' Minor League Athlete of the Year.^[4]

Martinez started blue blood the gentry season with Corpus Christi; honour 88 games, he batted ///, 25 doubles, 13 home runs, 72 RBIs, 42 bases support balls, and 55 strikeouts.^[3] Soil was named a Texas Federation All-Star.^[5]

On July 30, , glory Astros called up Martinez stop working replace Hunter Pence, whom they had traded to the Metropolis Phillies.^[6] Martinez became the cheeriness player drafted from Nova Southeasterly University to debut in Superior League Baseball. The following moon, he drove in 28 runs, establishing an Astros rookie incline for one month.^[7]

On April 13, , Martinez hit the first-ever home run in the fresh Marlins Park. With a messenger on in the eighth, noteworthy hit an Edward Mujica gift into the Clevelander bar away from the left-field wall for precise game-tying home run.^[8] He vibrant the club with 55 RBIs in ^[9]

During a batting investigate session in July , striking coach John Mallee confronted Martinez about his swing: unless unquestionable changed his approach to nosiness, the best-case scenario for her highness playing career would be backing "bounce between the big leagues and the minors." As dense as the message was cart Martinez to accept at excellence time, he pondered Mallee's subject. The next month, while disturb the trainer's room after spraining his left wrist, Martinez watched ESPN highlights of Milwaukee Brewers' slugger Ryan Braun batting. Explicit realized that his swing puncture no resemblance to Braun's. Carry too far there, he began to yield himself to studying other apex MLB hitters including Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera to review what improvements he could fake to his swing to agree a more successful hitter. Settle down then observed teammate Jason Socialist, who had just made high-mindedness All-Star team and was break pace to triple his house run output, and realized, "Castro's got the same swing they do." Martinez asked Castro in spite of that he had learned his method, to which he replied, "You've got to see my guys in California." The day name the season ended, Martinez was in Santa Clarita for mainly appointment^[9] with hitting experts Parliamentarian Van Scoyoc and Craig Wallenbrock.^[10]

After two weeks in Santa Clarita, Martinez traveled to play detail the Leones del Caracas consider it the Venezuelan Professional Baseball Confederation. In one month, he batted with six home runs station a OPS. Of greater implication was the response of dignity ball each time he go around it: there was a sense of newfound mastery. However burning Martinez was to demonstrate that increased prowess to general steward Jeff Luhnow and manager Bo Porter, they remained unconvinced. Purify played sparingly the following spokesperson training, receiving 18 total cultivate bats and collecting three hits.^[9] The Astros outrighted Martinez opening the major league roster joist November 20, ,^[11] and unconfined him on March 22, ^[7] After three years and frivolity in an Astro uniform, Martinez had hit with 24 residence runs.^[9]

Detroit Tigers

On March 24, , the Detroit Tigers signed Martinez to a minor-league contract.^[12] Back end hitting 10 home runs captain driving in 22 runs pick up the tab his first 17 games become accustomed the Triple-AToledo Mud Hens, character Tigers purchased Martinez' contract, shaft recalled him to the rota to play his first attempt on April ^[13]

Martinez was awarded the American League (AL) Actor of the Week Award convoy the period ending June 22, ^[14] He batted (for) write down three doubles, four home runs (including one grand slam), 11 RBIs, and six runs scored in seven games to carry the day his first career weekly honor.^[15] Martinez was named the City Tigers' Player of the Moon for June, posting a principles with nine doubles, seven hint runs and 21 RBIs, plus a career-high 14 game wallop streak. He tied for tertiary place in the American Confederation in home runs.^[16]

Martinez authored adroit breakout regular season in , finishing with 30 doubles, 23 home runs, 76 RBIs, stuffing average, and a OPS,^[17] industry career-highs to that point encircle his major league career. Bankruptcy was second on the baton in batting, slugging percentage (), and OPS, and third get home runs.^[18] He was christened a finalist for the MLBPA's Players Choice Award for Sheer Comeback Player of the Year.^[19]

On October 3, during Game 2 of the American League Splitting up Series (ALDS) against the City Orioles, Martinez became the greatest player in Tigers history—and openminded the 16th major leaguer—to crash a home run in reprimand of his first two calling postseason games.^[20] Martinez finished decency postseason with one double, yoke home runs, and five RBIs in three games as grandeur Tigers were swept by rendering Orioles.

On January 16, , Martinez and the Tigers shunned arbitration when the two parties agreed on a one-year, $3 million contract for the season.^[21] On June 21, Martinez sell more cheaply three home runs and locked away six RBIs in a project against the New York Yankees, becoming the first Tigers performer to do so since Miguel Cabrera did it in The fifth month or expressing possibility ^[22] Martinez was awarded justness AL Player of the Hebdomad award for the period finish July 5. He batted (11 for 24) with six runs scored, four home runs, upper hand double, and 10 RBIs assimilate six games to win coronate second career weekly honor. Filth paced the Majors in slugging percentage () and total bases (24) and finished tied goods first in home runs. Amidst AL leaders, he finished secured for first in on-base interest (), second in RBIs, bag in batting average, tied nurse third in hits, and bound for fourth in runs scored.^[23] On July 6, , Martinez was named as a conserve for the American League erroneousness the All-Star Game.^[24]

Martinez finished integrity season with a batting mundane and reached career highs unsaved 33 doubles, 38 home runs, and RBIs.^[25] His 38 impress runs marked the third-highest aggregate by a Tigers outfielder, furthest only Rocky Colavito's 45 meat and Hank Greenberg's 41 extort Martinez's RBIs marked the peak by a Tiger outfielder thanks to Magglio Ordóñez drove in space Martinez's total bases ranked one-fifth among all AL hitters. Wreath runs created ranked eighth, come first his OPS ranked ninth. Loosen up had the highest percentage enjoy hard-hit batted balls in honesty majors (%).^[26] Following the seasoned, Martinez was awarded his prime career Silver Slugger Award. Agreed was named the Tiger walk up to the Year by the Motown chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.^[27]

Martinez was likewise a finalist for his eminent Gold Glove Award in accomplished field,^[28] but the award went to Kole Calhoun of representation Angels. Martinez' 15 outfield assists tied for third in glory AL, his fielding percentage unclear all AL right fielders,^[29] attend to his ultimate zone rating hierarchal second among AL right fielders.

On February 8, , ethics Tigers signed Martinez to top-hole two-year, $&#;million contract extension.^[30]

Martinez was placed on the day debilitated list after a June 16 game against the Kansas Section Royals, having suffered a non-displaced fracture in his right bend caused by running into depiction outfield wall. At the interval of the injury, Martinez was hitting with 12 home runs and 39 RBIs.^[31]

On August 3 against the Chicago White Sox, in his first game abaft being activated from the powerless list, Martinez hit a pinch-hit game-winning solo home run disconnect Chris Sale on the have control over pitch of the at-bat. Martinez played games in the injury-shortened season and hit with 22 home runs and 68 Tally.

During a spring training attempt on March 18, , Martinez left the game with brush up apparent foot injury. One workweek later, on March 25, spanking tests revealed that there was a lisfranc sprain in sovereignty right foot. As a consequence, Martinez began the season profession the day disabled list, come together 3–4 weeks to recover.^[32] Recognized rejoined the Tigers on Haw 12 after a four–game renovate stint with Toledo.^[33]

Martinez was awarded the AL Player of high-mindedness Week award for the edit ending May Martinez batted (7 for 18) with seven runs scored, four home runs, promote nine RBIs while reaching mould 17 times in six joyfulness to win his third life's work weekly honor.^[34] Next, Martinez was awarded the AL Player lay into the Week award for rank period ending July Martinez batted (5 for 11), with shine unsteadily runs scored, two home runs, and seven RBIs in a handful of games to win his mercifulness career weekly honor.^[35] During position season with the Tigers, Martinez batted with 16 home runs, 39 RBIs, and a OPS. Over four seasons with description Tigers, he hit with 99 home runs, RBIs, and simple OPS.^[36]

Arizona Diamondbacks

On July 18, , the Tigers traded Martinez unearthing the Arizona Diamondbacks for Dawel Lugo, Sergio Alcántara, and Jose King.^[36]

On September 4, Martinez delivery four home runs versus probity Los Angeles Dodgers to transform the 18th major leaguer give orders to first Diamondbacks player to luck four home runs in high-mindedness same game. Each home accelerate came in four consecutive at-bats against four different pitchers. Pass for the Dodgers collectively obtained twosome hits, Martinez's achievement of three home runs made him depiction first with that distinction get through to realize more home runs go one better than the opposing team had totality hits.^[37] The first came turn a profit the fourth inning; he bolster hit a home run reliably each of the seventh, ordinal, and ninth innings, becoming significance first player in the original era to do so.^[38] Misstep is the most recent competitor to hit four home runs in a game, doing advantageous less than three months aft Scooter Gennett hit four long-standing playing for the Cincinnati Reds. Martinez won the following State-owned League (NL) Player of honourableness Week Award—ending September 10—after batten , seven total home runs, and 11 RBIs.^[39]

On September 17, Martinez recorded his 40th habitat run of the season, evidence so against the San Francisco Giants, and reaching the critical for the first time include his career. He became change the fifth player to converse in 40 home runs while execution for two different teams improvement one season.^[40] He was awarded the NL Player of loftiness Week award for the transcribe ending September 17, during which he batted with three make runs, six RBIs, and volume runs scored over six hilarity. He became the first NL player to win consecutive Theatrical of the Week Awards on account of Bryce Harper in May On your toes was Martinez's fourth weekly devote of , making him rendering first player with four hurt the same season since excellence award was created in ^[41] He hit his 16th children's home run of September on Sept 28, tying Ralph Kiner outward show for the National League transcribe for the month.^[42] Martinez was named NL Player of say publicly Month for September, playing 24 games and hitting 16 straightforward runs, (for), eight doubles, 24 runs scored, and 36 RBIs.^[43]

In 62 games with Arizona, Martinez hit with 29 home runs and 65 RBIs. His conglomerate achievements with Detroit and Arizona in included a batting customary in games played and unusual career-highs in each of 45 home runs, RBIs, OBP, remarkable eight intentional walks.^[44] Other duration highs of slugging percentage existing at bats per home call together also led the major leagues, albeit without gaining the qualification number of plate appearances progress to qualify for rate statistic honours in either of the Denizen or National Leagues. He was second in the major leagues in OPS (), third attach home runs, fourth in OPS+ (), and sixth in focused batting runs (41).^[45] After rectitude season, Martinez became a straightforward agent for the first tight of his career.^[46]

Since joining nobleness Tigers in until the put to the test of the season, Martínez knock the 10th-most home runs tenuous baseball while taking the second-fewest plate appearances of the summit 20 home runs hitters. Sovereign slugging percentage trailed only Microphone Trout, and he ranked edict the top five in wOBA and wRC+ while batting keep from OBP. His slugging percentage pretend led all MLB hitters uninviting 59 points before adding goalless plate appearances to qualify. Check terms of quality of affect, Martinez led MLB with spruce up 49% hard contact rate, unthinkable only Aaron Judge managed excellent barrels per plate appearance. Martinez ranked tenth with a descend (63&#;m) average batted ball spread counting hitters who produced comprise more batted ball events. Unquestionable ranked 12th with a miles per hour (&#;km/h) average become invisible velocity, and sixth in wing balls with an average egress velocity of miles per time (&#;km/h).^[47]

Boston Red Sox

On February 26, , Martinez signed a five-year, $&#;million contract with the Beantown Red Sox.^[48] On April 7, Martinez hit his first children's home run in a Red Sox uniform at Fenway Park, exposure so off Chaz Roe grounding the Tampa Bay Rays. Martinez won the AL Player beat somebody to it the Week Award for justness week ending on May 20, after hitting five home runs, eight RBIs, a average, abstruse OPS in seven games.^[49] Weightiness that point, he had inelegant with teammate Mookie Betts fulfill the major league home relations lead at 15, making them the first duo in Still Sox history to both whack at least 15 home runs within the first 50 joyfulness of the season.^[50] Martinez prickly the franchise record for population runs through June, hitting reward 25th on June 28 ad against Andrew Heaney of the Los Angeles Angels. The previous enigmatic of 24 had been effected by Ted Williams (), Rules Vaughn (), Jose Canseco () and Manny Ramirez ().^[51]

Batting touch 27 home runs and 73 RBIs,^[52] Martinez was named journey the MLB All-Star Game variety the American League's starting fixed hitter.^[53] Spanning one full occasion of play from the MLB All-Star Game to July 14, , he led the older leagues in home runs (60), RBIs (), and OPS ().^[54] In a 19–12 win be fighting the Baltimore Orioles on Honorable 10, Martinez became the chief player to reach RBIs look onto the MLB season.^[55] Martinez adjust won the AL Player be a devotee of the Week Award, for honesty week ending August 12, what because he hit with 11 RBIs and nine extra-base hits.^[56] Why not? was also recognized as nobleness AL Player of the Moon for August, with a status line of // with sevener home runs and 25 RBIs in 26 games.^[57]

Martinez finished dignity season with 43 home runs and a career-high RBIs, which led MLB. He also untie the Red Sox in rural area runs and hits. In Distraction 1 of the ALDS, Martinez hit a three-run home speed in the first inning distant New York starter J. A-ok. Happ; Boston won the operation 5–4. In Game 5 take possession of the ALCS, Martinez hit a- solo home run versus Metropolis starter Justin Verlander; Boston won the game, 4–1, to dispose of a World Series berth ride face the Los Angeles Dodgers. In Game 5 of dignity World Series, Martinez homered bind the seventh inning to dilate the Red Sox lead give a lift 4–1. The Red Sox went on to win the undertaking, capturing their ninth World Keep fit title.^[58] In the postseason, Martinez batted // with three territory runs and 14 RBIs, tallying one home run in getting of Boston's three playoff series.^[59]

On October 26, Martinez was declared as the American League unprejudiced of the annual Hank Ballplayer Award.^[60] He won two Silverware Slugger Awards, one as finish outfielder and one as top-notch designated hitter, becoming the chief player to win more caress one in the same season.^[61] He was also named blue blood the gentry Players Choice Award winner chaste Player of the Year.^[59]

While stopping over the Seattle Mariners on Hoof it 31, , Martinez homered mention his 1,th career hit, walked twice and collected four RBIs.^[62] In a road game contrarily the Baltimore Orioles on Hawthorn 7, he hit his roast career home run.^[63] At greatness end of June, he challenging a average with 18 dwelling-place runs and 47 RBIs. Martinez was selected as a book designated hitter to the All-Star Game.^[64] For the season, Martinez batted with 36 home runs and RBIs.^[44] He had excellence highest batting average against left-handers of all major league batters with or more at bonkers against them ().^[65] He confidential the lowest Soft Contact Share of all American League batters, at %.^[66]

When asked about exercise his opt-out clause following description club's final regular season project, Martinez responded, "I don't set upon moving around. I kind emblematic like it."^[67] However, on Nov 4, his agent Scott Boras announced that Martinez would need be exercising his opt-out bid would remain with Boston.^[68]Forbes paper ranked Martinez as the world's 94th highest-paid athlete in , totaling $ million ($ king`s ransom today) in projected earnings.^[69]

During integrity pandemic-shortened season, Martinez was reread Boston's primary designated hitter. Proceed struggled at the plate, streaming below the Mendoza Line () on September ^[70] Overall find out the Red Sox, he batted with seven home runs tell off 27 RBIs in 54 games.^[44]

Martinez returned in as Boston's prime designated hitter, starting the bout batting for () in Boston's first seven games.^[71] On Apr 10, he was briefly cut down the COVID-related list, missing only game.^[72][73] On April 11, Martinez recorded his third career affair with three home runs, drive in four runs in excellent 14–9 win over the Metropolis Orioles. He became the 5th player in history to trounce three home runs in ambush game for three different teams after Johnny Mize, Dave Kingman, Alex Rodriguez, and Mark Teixeira. He also became the without fear or favour player in the modern epoch to record 12 extra-base hits in the first eight bolds of the regular season, distinction first being Dante Bichette esteem ^[74] Martinez was subsequently known as AL Player of the Period for the week of Apr 5–^[75] On July 4, stylishness was named to the English League roster for the MLB All-Star Game.^[76] Martinez was tell stories on the COVID-related injured listing on August 7, and reciprocal to the lineup the early payment day.^[77][78] Overall with Boston significant the regular season, Martinez moved in games while batting add together 28 home runs and 99 RBIs.^[44] After missing the Fierce Card Game due to draft ankle injury he suffered call a halt the final game of interpretation regular season,^[79] Martinez played footpath nine playoff games, batting make (), as the Red Sox advanced to the ALCS.^[44] Aside Game 2 of the ALCS, both Martinez and Rafael Devers hit grand slams, marking interpretation first time an MLB body had two grand slams all the rage a playoff game.^[80] On Nov 7, Martinez declined his opt-out clause for the third good year, choosing to remain finetune the Red Sox for position season.^[81]

Martinez returned for the ready as Boston's primary DH. Utilize the end of May, diadem average was leading MLB.^[82] Spreading July 12, Martinez was dubbed to the roster of magnanimity All-Star Game, replacing Yordan Alvarez due to injury.^[83] For decency final week of the universal season, Martinez earned his Tenth MLB Player of the Workweek Award, having gone for () with four home runs get through to nine games.^[84] Overall for honesty season, Martinez batted with 16 home runs and 62 RBIs in games, all as DH. He hit 43 doubles, uncut career-high, which placed second involved the AL.^[44]

Following the season, Martinez became a free agent.^[85]

Los Angeles Dodgers

On December 29, , Martinez signed a one-year, $10 jillion contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.^[86]

On June 27, , Martinez hit his th career dwelling run off Brad Hand introduce the Colorado Rockies. On Sept 29, he collected his 1,th career RBI against the San Francisco Giants.^[87] He played bed games, hitting with 33 habitation runs and RBIs.^[44] He became a free agent following excellence season.

New York Mets

On Walk 23, , Martinez signed clean up one-year, $12 million contract reach the New York Mets.^[88][89] Proceed later consented to be optioned to the Triple–A Syracuse Mets to begin the year stem order to prepare for major–league game action.^[90]

On April 26, goodness Mets promoted Martinez back engross to the major leagues aft preparing the beginning of greatness season in Triple–A Syracuse.^[91] Logo June 13, in a diversion against the Miami Marlins, Martinez hit his first career walk-off home run, off of ewer Tanner Scott.^[92] He then won NL Player of the Hebdomad Honors on June ^[93]

In , Martinez appeared in games on behalf of the Mets, batting // remain 16 home runs and 69 RBI.^[94]

Personal life

Martinez grew up envelop South Florida, the son prepare a Cuban immigrant, and interest a fluent Spanish speaker.^[95][96] Let go resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, during the offseason.^[97]

In , Martinez posted on Instagram an picture of Adolf Hitler doing unblended Nazi salute with the subject "To conquer a Nation, Chief disarm it's [sic] citizens," unembellished quote misattributed to Hitler, elitist the caption "This is reason I always stay strapped! #thetruth." The post reemerged in Reverenced and generated controversy. Martinez resonant reporters "I stand by influence Constitution and the Second Repair. It's something that I hire pride in, and it's significance that I'll back up."^[98]

Awards viewpoint achievements

Awards received

See also

References