Leonys Martin, Outfield

Date of Birth: 3/6/1988
Birthplace: Villa Clara, Cuba

Leonys Martin, outfielder, played baseball in Cuba before defecting to the United States in 2010. In May, 2011, he signed a five-year, $15.5 million contract with the Texas Rangers. He played in the Rangers' minor league system in 2011 and 2012, playing in just 8 games with the Rangers in 2011 and 24 games in 2012. He ended his minor league career with a .323 batting average.

In 2013, Martin batted. 260 with 119 hits, 21 doubles, and 36 stolen bases in 147 games with the Rangers. As a center fielder, he made 287 putouts and 5 errors with a .983 fielding percentage in 127 games. He finished the 2014 season with 146 hits, 31 stolen bases, and a .274 batting average in 155 games.

Martin played in 95 games with the Rangers in 2015. He finished with a .219 batting average and 63 hits. As a center fielder in 92 games, he made 218 putouts and 1 error.

Martin was traded to the Seattle Mariners on November 16, 2015. He finished the 2016 season with 128 hits, 17 doubles, 15 home runs, 24 stolen bases, 47 RBIs, and a .247 batting average in 143 games. Defensively, as the Mariners' center fielder in 143 games, he made 353 putouts and 3 errors.

The Mariners designated Martin for assignment on August 23, 2017. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs on August 31st. He finished the 2017 season with a .172 batting average in 34 games with the Mariners and 15 games with the Cubs. Defensively, he played 4 games in left field, 20 games in center field, and 19 games in right field. He also pitched in one game. In the postseason, he had no hits and 1 run in 3 at-bats in 5 games.

Martin became a free agent on November 6, 2017. He signed with the Detroit Tigers on December 5, 2017. He was traded to the Cleveland Indians on July 31, 2018. He finished the 2018 season with 81 hits, 15 doubles, 11 home runs, 33 RBIs, 77 strikeouts to 30 walks, and a .255 batting average in 78 games with the Tigers and 6 games with the Indians. Defensively, as a center fielder in 79 games, he made 238 putouts and 2 errors, and he had a .992 fielding percentage. He didn't play in the postseason.

The Indians released Martin on June 27, 2019. He finished the 2019 season with 47 hits and a .199 batting average in 65 games.

Martin played in Japan in part of 2019 and in 2020 and 2021.

Martin signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners on February 10, 2023. He was released on March 23rd.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Leonys Martin
ESPN - Leonys Martin