Martín Benjamín Maldonado, born on August 16, 1986, is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball catcher whose 15-season Major League Baseball (MLB) career was defined by his defensive prowess, leadership, and impactful contributions to winning teams, rather than conventional offensive statistics. While his batting average may not have been eye-popping, Maldonado carved out a significant role for himself, earning respect and admiration across the league.
Early Career and Debut
Maldonado's path to the majors began when the Anaheim Angels selected him in the 27th round of the 2004 MLB draft. After several seasons in the minor leagues, including stints with the Arizona League Angels and the Orem Owlz, Maldonado signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2007. He played for the West Virginia Power, batting .221/.309/.288. In 2009, he played for the Brevard County Manatees and was called up to the Nashville Sounds. Maldonado spent the majority of 2010 with Nashville, but also spent time with Huntsville and Brevard County. He made his Major League debut on September 3, 2011, marking the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.
Milwaukee Brewers (2011-2016)
Maldonado's early years in the majors were spent with the Milwaukee Brewers. He was called up to the Brewers again in May 2012 when starting catcher Jonathan Lucroy went down with a freak hand injury. An unusual play occurred on April 18, 2014, in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, when Maldonado hit a ground ball to third base and hit the cover off a baseball. On May 31, 2015, Maldonado caught a 17-inning game and hit his first walk-off home run in the bottom of the 17th against the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 2016, he batted .202/.332/.351 for the Brewers. While with the Brewers, Maldonado established himself as a reliable backup catcher known for his defensive skills and strong throwing arm.
Los Angeles Angels (2017-2018)
On December 13, 2016, Maldonado and pitcher Drew Gagnon were traded to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for catcher Jett Bandy. 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. Maldonado's defensive abilities shone brightly during his time with the Angels, culminating in a Gold Glove Award and a Fielding Bible Award in 2017. These accolades highlighted his exceptional skill in handling pitchers, framing pitches, and controlling the running game.
Houston Astros (2018-2024)
Arrival in Houston and Initial Impact
On July 26, 2018, the Angels traded Maldonado to the Houston Astros in exchange for pitcher prospect Patrick Sandoval and international pool space cash. His 13 passed balls were second-most among AL catchers. In the 2018 postseason he batted .105/.150/.316. 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%.
Read also: Learn more about "Fat Like Dat"
2019-2021: Solidifying His Role
On December 23, 2019, Maldonado signed a two-year contract with the Astros, worth $7 million. 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 2021, Maldonado batted .172/.272/.300 in 373 at bats. Sportswriter Tom Verducci observed: "He is a 35-year-old catcher with a career .212 batting average over more than 2,900 plate appearances. 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).
2022: World Series Champion
On June 15, Maldonado was behind the plate for immaculate innings authored by Luis Garcia and Phil Maton, in the second and seventh inning, respectively. Each struck out the trio of Nathaniel Lowe, Ezequiel Duran, and Brad Miller of the Rangers at Globe 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). On June 25, 2022, Maldonado caught a combined no-hitter of the New York Yankees, delivered by Cristian Javier, Héctor Neris, and Ryan Pressly. It was the 14th no-hitter in Astros history. 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. With Maldonado behind the plate the following game, José Urquidy started the contest with 6+1⁄3 hitless innings versus the Yankees until a Giancarlo Stanton home run. A start against the Atlanta Braves on August 21 was Maldonado's 90th appearance of the season, triggering a $4.5 million vesting option for the 2023 season. On September 5, Maldonado caught a 1-0 shutout of Texas with Hunter Brown hurling the first six innings and winning his major league debut. Following the regular season, Maldonado was recognized with the Darryl 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. He received nomination for the AL Silver Slugger Award at catcher. Maldonado was a major contributor on offense during the ALCS against the Yankees, posting a .500 on-base percentage during the four-game sweep. In Game 6 of the 2022 World Series, Maldonado induced a lead-off hit by pitch from Zack 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.
Continued Contributions and Departure
Maldonado's value to the Astros extended far beyond the box score. He was lauded for his game-calling abilities, his rapport with the pitching staff, and his leadership in the clubhouse. His presence was seen as a calming influence, particularly for younger pitchers.
Later Career
On January 5, 2024, Maldonado signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract with the Chicago White Sox that also contained a club option for 2025. In 48 games for the White Sox, he batted .119/.174/.230 with four home runs and 11 RBI. On January 16, 2025, Maldonado signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres. On March 27, the Padres selected Maldonado's contract after he made the team's Opening Day roster. In 64 appearances for San Diego, he slashed .204/.245/.327 with four home runs and 12 RBI.
International Play
During the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC), Maldonado caught an ongoing perfect game versus Israel, which ended by a 10-0 final when he scored on a walk-off hit in the bottom of the eighth inning that invoked the tournament's mercy rule. However, it did not qualify as an official perfect game per the Elias Sports Bureau, due to lasting fewer than nine innings.
Read also: Learn about Purple Martin Food
Defining Characteristics
Maldonado's career was marked by several key attributes:
- Defensive Excellence: Maldonado consistently ranked among the league leaders in defensive metrics, showcasing his ability to control the running game and manage the pitching staff, culminating in his Gold Glove Award.
- Leadership and Intangibles: Teammates and coaches consistently praised Maldonado's leadership qualities, noting his ability to mentor younger players, foster a positive clubhouse environment, and provide invaluable insights during games.
- Pitcher Whisperer: Maldonado possessed a unique ability to connect with pitchers, earning their trust and guiding them through challenging situations. His game-calling skills and understanding of opposing hitters made him a valuable asset behind the plate.
- Clutch Performer: While his overall offensive numbers may have been modest, Maldonado had a knack for delivering key hits and making crucial plays in high-pressure situations, particularly during the Astros' playoff runs.
Read also: Weight Loss Journey