J.D. Martinez, Left Field, Los Angeles Dodgers


Date of Birth: 8/21/1987
Birthplace: Miami, Florida
College: Nova Southeastern University

J.D. Martinez, left fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, was first drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 2006 but he opted instead for college. Three years later, he was drafted by the Houston Astros. He played in the Astros' minor league system from 2009 through part of 2011.

Martinez joined the Astros for 53 games in 2011. He finished the season with 57 hits, 13 doubles, 35 RBIs, and a .274 batting average. The next season, he batted .241 in 113 games. He had 95 hits, 14 doubles, 11 home runs, and 55 RBIs in 2012.

In 2013, Martinez batted .250 with 74 hits and 17 doubles in 86 games. He signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers in March, 2014. He had a strong 2014 season, finishing with 139 hits, 30 doubles, 23 home runs, 76 RBIs, and a .315 batting average.

Martinez and the Tigers agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract on January 16, 2015. On June 21, 2015, he hit three home runs and had six RBIs in one game. He won his first Silver Slugger award in 2015 for batting .282 with 168 hits, 33 doubles, 38 home runs, and 102 RBIs in 158 games. As a right fielder, he made 265 putouts and 2 errors in 148 games.

In 2016, Martinez batted a career high .307 with 141 hits, a career high 35 doubles, 22 home runs, and 68 RBIs in 120 games. Defensively, as the Tigers' right fielder in 118 games, he made 201 putouts and 6 errors.

The Tigers traded Martinez to the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 18, 2017. He had another good year in 2017, batting .303 in 57 games with the Tigers and 62 games with the Diamondbacks. He finished the season with 131 hits, 26 doubles, career highs in home runs (45) and RBIs (104), and 128 strikeouts to 53 walks. Defensively, as a right fielder in 113 games, he made 197 putouts and 4 errors. In the postseason, he had 4 hits, including a home run, and 1 RBI in 15 at-bats in 4 games.

Martinez elected free agency on November 2, 2017. He signed with the Boston Red Sox on February 26, 2018. He had an outstanding season in 2018, winning two Silver Slugger awards (one as an outfielder and one as a DH) and the AL Hank Aaron award. He had a .330 batting average with 188 hits, 37 doubles, 43 home runs, 130 RBIs, and 146 strikeouts to 69 walks in 150 games. Defensively, he played 32 games in left field and 25 games in right field. In the postseason, he batted .300 in 50 at-bats in 14 games. He had 15 hits, including two doubles and three home runs, and 14 RBIs. He struck out 11 times and he walked 10 times.

Martinez had another strong season in 2019. He finished the season with 175 hits, 33 doubles, 36 home runs, 105 RBIs, 138 strikeouts to 72 walks, and a .304 batting average in 146 games. Defensively, he played 15 games in left field and 24 games in right field.

Martinez played in 54 games in 2020. He finished the season with 45 hits, 16 doubles, 7 home runs, 27 RBIs, 59 strikeouts to 22 walks, and a .213 batting average. Defensively, he played 3 games in left field and 4 games in right field. He was the DH in 48 games.

Martinez finished the 2021 season with 163 hits, 42 doubles, 28 home runs, 99 RBIs, 150 strikeouts to 55 walks, and a .286 batting average in 148 games. He was the DH in 113 games. In the postseason, he had 11 hits, 2 doubles, 3 home runs, and 10 RBIs in 32 at-bats in 9 games.

Martinez became a free agent on November 6, 2022. He signed with the Dodgers on December 29th.

Career batting statistics for Martinez through 2021 include:

  • 1,270 games played
  • 1,376 hits
  • 296 doubles
  • 266 home runs
  • 837 RBIs
  • 1,279 strikeouts to 466 walks
  • .290 batting average

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - J.D. Martinez
ESPN - J.D. Martinez