| Martín Maldonado | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Maldonado with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018 | |||||||||||||||
| Catcher | |||||||||||||||
| Born: (1986-08-16)August 16, 1986 (age 39) Naguabo, Puerto Rico[1] | |||||||||||||||
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |||||||||||||||
| MLB debut | |||||||||||||||
| September 3, 2011, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |||||||||||||||
| Last MLB appearance | |||||||||||||||
| July 30, 2025, for the San Diego Padres | |||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | |||||||||||||||
| Batting average | .203 | ||||||||||||||
| Home runs | 119 | ||||||||||||||
| Runs batted in | 384 | ||||||||||||||
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |||||||||||||||
| Teams | |||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
Medals
| |||||||||||||||
Martín Benjamín Maldonado (born August 16, 1986) is a Puerto Rican former professionalbaseballcatcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for 15 seasons. During those 15 seasons, he played for theMilwaukee Brewers,Los Angeles Angels,Houston Astros,Kansas City Royals,Chicago Cubs,Chicago White Sox, andSan Diego Padres.
The Angels selected Maldonado in the 27th round of the2004 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut in 2011 as a member of the Brewers. In 2017, he both won aGold Glove and aFielding Bible Award.The New York Times described him in October 2021, following a season in which Maldonado batted .172, as “arguably the worst hitter in baseball,” andSports Illustrated wrote that "he quite possibly could be the worst-hitting everyday player in MLB history", although he has also been cited as a key factor in the success of the Astro pitching staff.[2][3]
As a member of the Astros, Maldonado was the backstop for twoAmerican League (AL) pennant-winning teams, which included aWorld Series championship in 2022. He is one of two catchers in Astros' franchise history to catch multipleno-hitters: the first in 2019, the second in 2022, and the third August 1, 2023. He caught one complete game no-hitter and two combined no-hitters, and he became the first catcher in major league history to catch multiple combined no-hitters.[4]
Maldonado was drafted by theAnaheim Angels in the 27th round of the2004 Major League Baseball draft. He played his first professional season for the rookie-levelArizona League Angels that year, and batted .217/.277/.233.[5]
In 2005, he again played for Arizona, and also played for the rookie-levelOrem Owlz. After he played one more season for the Arizona Angels in 2006, in which he batted .222/.329/.270, he was released.[5]
In 2007, Maldonado signed a minor league contract with theMilwaukee Brewers and played for theWest Virginia Power of theSingle–ASouth Atlantic League, batting .221/.309/.288. In 2008, he played for theBrevard County Manatees of theHigh–AFlorida State League and theHuntsville Stars of theDouble–ASouthern League, batting a combined .229/.290/.313.[6]
He began the 2009 season with the Manatees, and was called up to theNashville Sounds of theTriple–APacific Coast League at mid-season. However, he returned to the Manatees to finish out the season. In 2009 he batted a combined .201/.295/.257.[5] On defense, he was charged with a combined 17passed balls in 93 games.[5]
Maldonado played the majority of 2010 with Nashville, but also spent time with Huntsville and Brevard County. On defense, he was charged with a combined 13 passed balls in 96 games.[5]
He made his Major League debut on September 3, 2011. He played in 3 games for the Brewers after his callup, striking out in his onlyat bat.
Maldonado was called up to the Brewers again in May 2012 when starting catcherJonathan Lucroy went down with a freak hand injury, due to his wife dropping a suitcase on it. In 2012 with Nashville he batted .198/.270/.347.[5] He played 78 games for the Brewers in 2012.
In 2013 he batted .169/.236/.284 for the Brewers.[5] His .169 batting average was the lowest of all major leaguers with 200 or more plate appearances.[7]
Maldonado was involved in an unusual play in which he hit the cover off a baseball. In a game against thePittsburgh Pirates on April 18, 2014, Maldonado hit aground ball to third base. By the time Pirates third basemanPedro Álvarez fielded the grounder, the cover had partially come off the baseball and was hanging off its side; Álvarez threw the ball to first but it fell apart in midair, and made it to first only after several hops; Maldonado was awarded an infield hit.[8]
Two days later Maldonado punched Pirate outfielderTravis Snider in the face in Pittsburgh, leaving Snider with a cut under a black eye.[9] He was suspended for five games, and fined $2,500, which with the suspension resulted in him losing $16,200.[10][11][12]
On May 31,2015, Maldonado caught a 17-inning game and also hit his firstwalk-off home run, in the bottom of the 17th against theArizona Diamondbacks. In 2015, he batted .210/.282/.293, and committed nine errors, third-most among NL catchers.[13]
In2016, he batted .202/.332/.351 for the Brewers. His seven errors were fourth-most among AL catchers.[13]
On December 13, 2016, Maldonado and pitcherDrew Gagnon were traded to theLos Angeles Angels in exchange for catcherJett Bandy.[14] Maldonado was named the Angels’ starting catcher and in 2017 played in a career-high 138 games, batting .221 with 14 home runs and 38 RBI. He won a 2017Rawlings Gold Glove Award.[15]
On July 26, 2018, the Angels traded Maldonado to theHouston Astros in exchange for pitcher prospectPatrick Sandoval and international pool space cash.[16] His 13 passed balls were second-most among AL catchers. In the 2018 postseason he batted .105/.150/.316. He became a free agent on October 29.[17]
TheKansas City Royals signed Maldonado nearly half a year later to a one-year, $2.5 million contract on March 11, 2019, following a season-ending elbow injury to catcherSalvador Pérez.[18] Maldonado batted .227/.291/.366 over 74 games for the Royals.[13]
On July 15, the Royals traded Maldonado to theChicago Cubs in exchange for left-handed pitcherMike Montgomery.[19] He had 11 at bats with the Cubs, in which he failed to get a hit.[5] He remained with the team a total of 16 days.[20]
On July 31, 2019, the Cubs traded Maldonado to theHouston Astros in exchange for outfielderTony Kemp.[20] Maldonado caught a combinedno-hitter versus theSeattle Mariners on August 3, 2019, hurled byAaron Sanchez,Will Harris,Joe Biagini, andChris Devenski.[21][22]
For Houston, Maldonado batted .202/.316/.464. In 98 plate appearances in 27 games he hit six home runs, drew 13 walks, and scored 20 runs with just 17 hits for a run-scoring percentage of 56%. On defense, he threw out one-of-11 attempted base-stealers.[13]
He hit his first career home run inWorld Series play in Game 2 in the ninth inning versusWashington Nationals relieverJavy Guerra in a 12–3 Houston defeat.[23]
On December 23,2019, Maldonado signed a two-year contract with the Astros, worth $7 million.[24] In 2020, he batted .215/.350/.378 with six home runs and 24 RBIs in 135 at bats, drawing 27 bases on balls in 165 plate appearances, and striking out 51 times (38% of the time). In the postseason, he batted .171/.275/.314, as he struck out 18 times in 35 at bats (51% of the time).[13]
On April 21,2021, Maldonado agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract extension with the Astros, with a $5 million vesting option for the 2023 season.[25]
In 2021, Maldonado batted .172/.272/.300 in 373 at bats. His .172 batting average was the lowest of all AL players with 200 or more plate appearances.[26][27] He struggled especially in the clutch; in games that were late and close, he batted .089/.226/.178.[28] He was the second-slowest catcher in major league baseball, and the slowest player on the Astros, with a sprint speed of 23.5 feet/second.[29] His .195 batting average for the three years of 2019-21 was the lowest of all major leaguers with 800 or more plate appearances.[9]
SportswriterTom Verducci observed: "He is a 35-year-old catcher with a career .212 batting average over more than 2,900 plate appearances. Only three other players in history ever stuck around for that many plate appearances by hitting so poorly: [pitcher]Cy Young and two famously inept hitting catchers,Bill Bergen andJeff Mathis."[30]The New York Times described him in October 2021, following a season in which Maldonado batted .172, as “arguably the worst hitter in baseball,” andSports Illustrated wrote that "he quite possibly could be the worst-hitting everyday player in MLB history."[2][3]
He had career-highs of 47 bases on balls and 127 strikeouts (striking out 34% of the time). On defense, his eight errors were second-most among AL catchers. He ranked fourth among all AL fielders in putouts (1,058). Among catchers, he also placed second in putouts (1,049), third in total zone runs as calculated by Baseball-Reference (five), fourth in assists (44), second in double plays turned (nine), second in caught stealing percentage (39.6%), and first in runners caught stealing (19).[13] He was a Gold Glove finalist at catcher.[31]
In the2021 ALDS, Maldonado batted .067/.067/.067.[13] He batted .071 in the ALCS.[13] In Game 5 of theWorld Series versus theAtlanta Braves, Maldonado was 1-for-3 with 3 RBI, helping to rally the Astros to a 9–5 win in an elimination game.[32]
On May 6,2022, Maldonado homered in the second inning versus theDetroit Tigers, providing the eventual decisive run in a 3–2 Astros win.[33] Batting .116 entering the May 19 game, Maldonado doubled in eighth inning versus theTexas Rangers to provide insurance runs in a 5–1 Astros win.[34]
On June 15, Maldonado was behind the plate forimmaculate innings authored byLuis Garcia andPhil Maton, in the second and seventh inning, respectively. Each struck out the trio ofNathaniel Lowe,Ezequiel Duran, andBrad Miller of the Rangers atGlobe Life Field. It was the first major league game featuring more than one immaculate inning (and the first time more than was thrown on the same date in the major leagues). Maldonado, the catcher for each of Houston's strikeouts – 14 in all – doubled and homered in a 9–2 Astros win.[35]
On June 25, 2022, Maldonado caught a combined no-hitter of theNew York Yankees, delivered byCristian Javier,Héctor Neris, andRyan Pressly. It was the 14th no-hitter in Astros history.[36] Maldonado became the first player to catch more than one combined no-hitter; he previously caught a combined no-hitter for the Astros on August 3, 2019.[37] With Maldonado behind the plate the following game,José Urquidy started the contest with6+1⁄3 hitless innings versus the Yankees until aGiancarlo Stanton home run. The no-hit streak spanned16+1⁄3 innings, tying an expansion-era record by the1981 Astros pitching staff versus the1981 Dodgers.[a][39]
Oh July 2, Maldonado homered twice, including once versusPatrick Sandoval, whom the Astros traded to acquire him in 2018, to lead a 9–1 win over theLos Angeles Angels.[40] The following game, Maldonado was behind the plate for 20 strikeouts by Astros pitching, including the first six innings byFramber Valdez, Neris (7th),Rafael Montero (8th), and Pressly (9th), establishing a new franchise record for a nine-inning contest.[41][b][42] Maldonado caught ashutout of theOakland Athletics on July 16 and hit his third careergrand slam to lead a 5–0 win.[43]
A start against theAtlanta Braves on August 21 was Maldonado's 90th appearance of the season, triggering a $4.5 million vestingoption for the 2023 season.[44] On September 5, Maldonado caught a 1–0 shutout of Texas withHunter Brown hurling the first six innings and winning his major league debut. Maldonado singled home the game's only run.[45] He scored four runs in a game for the first time on September 18, also hitting a home run, driving in four runs, and tying his career high with four hits, in an 11–2 win versus Oakland.[46]
In 2022, he batted .186/.248/.352 with 116 strikeouts in 344 at bats.[47] He reached career-highs of 15 home runs and 45 RBIs.[13] He again struggled especially in the clutch; in games that were late and close, he batted .182/.222/.273.[48] His .179 batting average for the two years of 2021-22 was the lowest of all major leaguers with 800 or more plate appearances.[49] His .209 career batting average was the lowest career average of any nonpitcher over the prior 50 years (minimum 1,000 games).[50] He was the third-slowest catcher in major league baseball, and the slowest player on the Astros, with a sprint speed of 22.4 feet/second.[51][52] On defense, Maldonado appeared in 113 games, third in the AL among catchers, led AL catchers in putouts (1,025), assists (49), and passed balls (9). He tied for fifth in baserunners caught stealing (16), as he caught 26% of runners, and tied his career high with 46 stolen bases allowed.[53][13] Astros pitching registered a 2.90earned run average (ERA), a franchise record over a 162-game season, and thebullpen led the major leagues with a 2.80 ERA.[c][54]
Following the regular season, Maldonado was recognized with theDarryl Kile Award due to his cooperation with the media following games, providing salient insight, and for his handling of one of the most successful pitching staffs in baseball.[55] He received nomination for the AL Silver Slugger Award at catcher.[56] Maldonado was a major contributor on offense during theALCS against the Yankees, posting a .500 on-base percentage during the four-game sweep. In Game 6 of the2022 World Series, Maldonado induced a lead-off hit by pitch fromZack Wheeler that was the catalyst for the Astros four-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning to capture the team's second championship in franchise history and Maldonado's first. After winning the World Series, he revealed that he had sustained a fractured hand andsports hernia on separate occasions in the month of August, but elected to continue to play through the injuries.[57] He underwent surgery to repair the hernia on November 15, 2022.[58]
Maldonado hit his 100th career home run on June 13,2023, in the seventh inning offChad Kuhl of theWashington Nationals atMinute Maid Park.[59] On August 1, Maldonado caughtFramber Valdez' no-hitter against theCleveland Guardians, his third career no-hitter caught, and the first of which was acomplete game pitched.[60]
On January 5, 2024, Maldonado signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract with theChicago White Sox that also contained a club option for 2025.[61] In 48 games for the White Sox, he batted .119/.174/.230 with four home runs and 11 RBI. Maldonado wasdesignated for assignment by the White Sox on July 17.[62] He was released by the organization on July 21.[63]
Following the 2024 season, Maldonado signed with theLeones del Escogido to playwinter league baseball in theDominican Professional Baseball League.[64]
On January 16, 2025, Maldonado signed a minor league contract with theSan Diego Padres.[65] On March 27, the Padres selected Maldonado's contract after he made the team'sOpening Day roster.[66] In 64 appearances for San Diego, he slashed .204/.245/.327 with four home runs and 12 RBI. On July 31, Maldonado andTrenton Brooks were designated for assignment by the Padres following multiple trade deadline moves.[67] He was released after clearing waivers on August 6.[68] On September 1, Maldonado re-signed with the Padres on a minor league contract.[69] On September 30, the Padres added Maldonado to their active roster ahead of theirWild Card Series matchup against theChicago Cubs.[70]
On October 18, 2025, Maldonado announced his retirement from professional baseball.[71]
During the2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC), Maldonado caught an ongoingperfect game versusIsrael, which ended by a10–0 final when he scored on a walk-off hit in the bottom of the eighth inning that invoked the tournament'smercy rule. However, it did not qualify as an official perfect game per theElias Sports Bureau, due to lasting fewer than nine innings. The game was started byJosé De León and De León was relieved byYacksel Ríos,Edwin Díaz, andDuane Underwood Jr.[72][73]
He's the glue of our team. He's one of the main leaders of our clubhouse, and his preparation is unmatched. His want and will to win, you can feel it. ... [He is] the MVP of our season.
He spent his first six seasons as a backup catcher in Milwaukee.[74] Maldonado's throwing arm has attracted praise, as he dispatched 19 of 48 would-be basestealers during the 2021 season, the fourth-best caught-stealing percentage in the league. When it came to his framing, however, he has been rated a below-averagepitch framer; in October 2020 Fangraphs rated him -2.1 in framing, worse than the average catcher, and Baseball Savant rated him the 38th percentile of MLB catchers in framing.[75] Primarily known for his defense and pitch-calling, as of 2021 he had not hit well in his career (.290 on-base percentage).[76][13]
In spite of his low offensive productivity, Houston acquired Maldonado at consecutive trade deadlines, pursued him multiple times in free agency, and signed him to a contract extension in 2021. Astros teammateCarlos Correa lauded his dedication and meticulousness in preparation of the pitching staff. During his Gold-Glove winning campaign in Los Angeles in 2017 Maldonado first made an impression on McCullers, causing him to repeatedly urge then-Astros managerA. J. Hinch to acquire the veteran catcher.[74]
