Leonys Martín

Leonys Martín Tápanes (born March 6, 1988), nicknamed "Ikadi",[1] is a Cuban-American professional baseball center fielder for the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Born in Cuba, he played locally for Villa Clara of the Cuban National Series, and for the Cuban national baseball team in international competitions, including the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Martín and the second or maternal family name is Tápanes.
Leonys Martín
Martín with the Texas Rangers in 2015
Chiba Lotte Marines – No. 79
Center fielder
Born: (1988-03-06) March 6, 1988
Corralillo, Villa Clara, Cuba
Bats: Left Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: September 2, 2011, for the Texas Rangers
NPB: July 26, 2019, for the Chiba Lotte Marines
MLB statistics
(through 2019 season)
Batting average.244
Home runs58
Runs batted in228
Stolen bases126
NPB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Batting average.233
Home runs39
Runs batted in104
Teams

While in Taiwan for the 2010 World University Baseball Championship, Martín defected from Cuba in order to become a Major League Baseball free agent.[2] He signed with the Texas Rangers in 2011, and made his MLB debut later that season. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, and Cleveland Indians.

Early life

Martín was born in Villa Clara Province in Cuba. He was named after Lionel Richie, his mother's favorite musical artist.[3] His father worked as a foreman for a fishing company, while his mother raised Martín and his four siblings, a brother and three sisters.[3] Martín's father taught Leonys to play baseball.[3]

Martin learned to play baseball from his father, who coached him in youth baseball. Martín played shortstop, second base and third base before becoming a center fielder.[3]

Career

Cuba
Martín with the Cuban national team in 2010 World University Baseball Championship

At the age of 17, Martín joined Villa Clara in the Cuban National Series.[3] He also played for the Cuban national baseball team. Martín earned $40 a week.[3] In the 2009–2010 season, Martín batted .326 with 10 home runs, 23 doubles, and 48 runs batted in (RBI).[4][5] In five seasons with Villa Clara, Martín batted .314.[5]

For the Cuban national team, Martín appeared in the 2006 World Junior Baseball Championship. He appeared in the 2009 World Port Tournament,[6] which Cuba won.[7] He was also named to the roster for the 2009 World Baseball Classic as the team's fourth outfielder. He was the youngest player on the team, Aroldis Chapman being six days older.[3] Martín also played for Cuba in the 2010 World Junior Baseball Championship, where he batted 9-for-20 (.450), scored 14 runs, and had two doubles and eight walks.[5]

Martín defected from Cuba during the 2010 World Junior Baseball Championship.[4] He traveled to Tokyo, before arriving in Mexico, where he successfully petitioned Major League Baseball to allow him to become a free agent.[3]

Texas Rangers

Martín signed a five-year, $15.5 million contract that includes a $5 million signing bonus with the Texas Rangers on May 4, 2011 with the Rangers adding Martín to their 40 man roster.[3][8] He reported to extended spring training with the Rangers before they assigned him to the Frisco RoughRiders, the Rangers' Class AA affiliate in the Texas League. After batting .348 with a .435 on-base percentage (OBP) with Frisco,[9] the Rangers promoted Martín to the Round Rock Express of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League in July.[3] He also spent two days working on baserunning and defense with Rangers coach Gary Pettis.[5]

For the Express, Martín batted .263 with no home runs, and 17 runs batted in (RBI) in 175 at bats.[10] The Rangers promoted Martín to the major leagues on August 30, 2011, when Nelson Cruz went on the disabled list.[10] Making his major league debut on September 2, Martín recorded his first MLB hit against Tim Wakefield of the Boston Red Sox.[11] Appearing in eight games for the Rangers, Martín recorded three hits in eight at bats, including one double.[12] The Rangers added Martín to their roster for the 2011 American League Division Series, but he did not make an appearance.[12]

Martín at Minute Maid Park in 2014

The Rangers optioned Martín to Round Rock during spring training in 2012.[13] After batting .344 with a .414 OBP and .547 slugging percentage with five home runs in 31 games for Round Rock to start the 2012 season, the Rangers promoted Martín on June 15, when they placed Koji Uehara on the disabled list.[12]

In 2013, Martín made the Rangers' 25 man roster and started at center field on Opening Day against the Houston Astros. On April 21, Martín hit the 1st home run of his major league career off of Aaron Harang of the Seattle Mariners. On June 25, Martín collected the first multi-home run game of his major league career with two solo shots against Hiroki Kuroda of the New York Yankees. Martín hit .260 for the 2013 season and stole a career-high 36 bases.

Martín played a full season in 2014, hitting .274 with 31 stolen bases over a career-high 155 games. He suffered an injury in 2015 and played only 95 games, while his batting average sank to .219.[14]

Seattle Mariners

After the 2015 season, the Rangers traded Martín and Anthony Bass to the Seattle Mariners for Tom Wilhelmsen, James Jones, and a player to be named later (Patrick Kivlehan).[15]

Martín set a career-high in home runs in 2016 (15), despite moving from a team playing their home games in an extreme hitter's park to a team playing their home games in an extreme pitcher's park.

Martín was designated for assignment by the Mariners on April 23, 2017.[16] He was outrighted to Triple-A until he had his contract purchased by the team at the end of July. On August 23, he was designated for assignment for a second time.

Chicago Cubs

On August 31, 2017, the Chicago Cubs acquired Martín and cash for a player to be named later or cash from the Mariners.[17] Between the two teams in 2017 he batted .172/.232/.281. Martin made the Cubs 2017 playoff roster due to his above average speed and defense.[18] He was outrighted to Triple-A on November 6, 2017, and elected free agency later that day.[19]

Detroit Tigers

On December 5, 2017, the Detroit Tigers signed Martín to a one-year, $1.75 million deal.[20] Martín hit his first career grand slam on April 19, 2018, off Mike Wright of the Baltimore Orioles.[21] On April 25, Martín hit a home run in both games of a doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates, becoming the first Tiger player to do so since Don Kelly on October 1, 2010.[22] On May 8, Martín was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a hamstring strain.[23] On July 2, he was placed on the disabled list for the second time with a hamstring injury.[24] For the season with Detroit he batted .251/.321/.409.

Cleveland Indians
Martín with the Cleveland Indians in 2019

On July 31, 2018, Martín and Kyle Dowdy were traded to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Willi Castro.[25] Nine days later Martín was placed on the 10-day disabled after an undisclosed illness.[26] He was admitted to the Cleveland Clinic on August 9, where he received care in the Intensive Care Unit.[27] On August 13, 2018, Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti announced Martín was recovering from a life-threatening bacterial infection and that there was no timetable for Martín's return to baseball activities.[28] On August 22, the Indians ruled Martín out for the remainder of 2018 as a precaution.[29] In 2018 he had only 15 at bats for Cleveland.

Martín signed a one-year contract for the 2019 season with the Indians on October 31, 2018, avoiding salary arbitration.[30] On June 22, 2019, he was designated for assignment.[31] After clearing waivers, Martín was released by the Indians on June 27, 2019.

Chiba Lotte Marines

On July 14, 2019, Martín signed with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[32] On December 2, 2019, Martín signed a 1-year extension to remain with the Marines.[33]

Personal life

Martín's parents are divorced. His mother, brother and three sisters live in Cuba. His father lives in Miami.[3]

On June 25, 2018, Martín became a naturalized United States citizen.[34]

See also

References
  1. "ロッテ「マーティン丼」発売　補殺完成で100円引きの「強肩割」". スポニチアネックス (in Japanese). July 30, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  2. "Blog | Baseball America Prospects Blog | Sizing Up Cuban Defector Leonys Martin". Baseball America. September 16, 2010. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  3. Barry Horn (August 6, 2011). "Leonys Martin's long journey from Cuba has him ready for Rangers | Texas Rangers News — Sports News for Dallas, Texas — SportsDayDFW". Dallasnews.com. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  4. "Foul Territory: Sources: Rangers attempting to sign Cuban outfielder". Sportsblogs.star-telegram.com. April 6, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  5. "Texas Rangers call up Cuban OF Leonys Martin, move Darren O'Day to DL - ESPN Dallas". Espn.go.com. August 31, 2011. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  6. "Cuba Beats Rival Japan 8-0". Havana Times.org. July 3, 2009. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  7. "An assesment [sic] of Cuba's success in the Rotterdam Tournament | Cuba News Headlines. Cuban Daily News". Cubaheadlines.com. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  8. Grant, Evan (May 4, 2011). "Rangers make Leonys Martin signing official | Texas Rangers Blog | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | The Dallas Morning News". Rangersblog.dallasnews.com. Archived from the original on August 19, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  9. "The Dallas Morning News | Options". Dallasnews.com. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  10. Rangers to call up Leonys Martin today; playing time might be limited Dallas Morning News
  11. Lee, Tony (September 3, 2011). "Red Sox Live Blog: Rangers Hammer Sox 10-0 in Series Opener at Fenway Park | Boston Red Sox". NESN.com. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  12. C. Trent Rosecrans (June 11, 2008). "Rangers call up Leonys Martin, Koji Uehara goes to DL". CBSSports.com. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  13. "The Dallas Morning News | Options". Dallasnews.com. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
  14. T.R. Sullivan (May 8, 2015). "Martin won't hit leadoff when he returns from injury". MLB.com. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  15. "Rangers ship Leonys Martin to Mariners for RHP Tom Wilhelmsen in 5-player deal". Dallas Morning News. November 16, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  16. http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-designate-outfielder-leonys-martin-for-assignment-recall-first-baseman-daniel-vogelbach/
  17. https://twitter.com/MLBRosterMoves/status/903472994864906241
  18. https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-leonys-martin-playoff-roster-cubs-20171006-story.html
  19. Polishuk, Mark (November 13, 2017). "Minor MLB Transactions: 11/12/17". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  20. Beck, Jason (December 5, 2017). "Tigers ink center fielder Martin to one-year deal". MLB.com. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  21. "Martin slams helps Tigers send Orioles to 6th straight loss". CBSsports.com. April 19, 2018. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  22. "Osuna HR, Pirates beat Tigers 8-3 for doubleheader split". CBSsports.com. April 25, 2018. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  23. Rogacki, Rob (May 8, 2018). "Tigers Tigers place Leonys Martin on 10-day disabled list, recall OF Mikie Mahtook". blessyouboys.com. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  24. http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23975401/detroit-tigers-place-closer-shane-greene-leonys-martin-dl
  25. Fenech, Anthony (July 31, 2018). "Detroit Tigers trade Leonys Martin to Indians for infield prospect". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  26. "Indians are asking fans to keep Leonys Martin in their thoughts as he deals with illness". CBSSports.com. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  27. Hoynes, Paul (January 18, 2019). "Leonys Martin glad to be alive and can't wait to wear a Cleveland Indians' uniform again". Plain Dealer. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  28. Hoynes, Paul (August 13, 2018). "Cleveland Indians outfielder Leonys Martin slowly recovering from life-threatening bacterial infection". Cleveland.com.
  29. "Leonys Martin out for the rest of 2018". MLB. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
  30. Hoynes, Paul (October 31, 2018). "Cleveland Indians avoid arbitration with OF Leonys Martin, agree on one-year deal". Cleveland.com.
  31. Joe Noga (June 22, 2019). "Cleveland Indians release struggling OF Leonys Martin, promote RHP Aaron Civale". Cleveland.com. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  32. "レオネス・マーティン選手 獲得について". 千葉ロッテマリーンズ オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  33. "マーティン選手 来季契約について". 千葉ロッテマリーンズ オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). December 2, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  34. Tyler Fenwick (June 25, 2018). "Iglesias, Martin sworn in as US citizens". MLB.com. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
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