Osvaldo "Ozzie" Martínez (born May 7, 1988) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball shortstop for the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Professional Baseball. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Florida Marlins.

Ozzie Martínez
Martínez with the Sioux Falls Canaries in 2022
Sioux City Explorers – No. 7
Shortstop
Born: (1988-05-07) May 7, 1988 (age 36)
Carolina, Puerto Rico
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 19, 2010, for the Florida Marlins
MLB statistics
(through 2011 season)
Batting average.258
Home runs0
Runs batted in3
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Puerto Rico
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 2019 Lima Team

Career

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Florida Marlins

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Martínez was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 11th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft out of Porterville College. He was called up to the Majors for the first time on September 19, 2010, walking in his one at-bat as a pinch hitter.[1] The following day, he started at shortstop for the Marlins against the St. Louis Cardinals and recorded his first hit, a single to center field off Chris Carpenter.[2] He appeared in 14 games for the Marlins in 2010 and another 20 in 2011, with a combined batting average of .258.

Chicago White Sox

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Martínez and Jhan Mariñez were sent to the Chicago White Sox on September 29, 2011 as compensation for the hiring of Ozzie Guillén by the Marlins, as Guillen had one year remaining on his contract with the White Sox.[3]

Los Angeles Dodgers

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On July 10, 2012, Martínez was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for cash considerations.[4] With the Triple–A Albuquerque Isotopes, he played in 39 games and hit .255.

On November 23, 2012, he was resigned to the Los Angeles Dodgers on a minor league deal, with an invitation to spring training.[5] He split the season between Albuquerque and the Double–A Chattanooga Lookouts, hitting .247 in 89 games.

 
Martínez with the Chattanooga Lookouts in 2013

Atlanta Braves

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On May 18, 2014, Martínez was traded to the Atlanta Braves, who assigned him to the Gwinnett Braves.[6] In 78 games for Gwinnett, he batted .288/.340/.350 with no home runs and 22 RBI.[7]

Baltimore Orioles

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On November 18, 2014, Martínez signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles organization.[8][9] In 2015, he played in 122 games for the Double-A Bowie Baysox, hitting .252/.310/.303 with 2 home runs and 30 RBI.[10]

He re-signed with the team following the season, and was invited to major league Spring Training with the team in 2016.[11] He did not make the team and played in 95 games for the Triple-A Norfolk Tides, batting .236/.271/.309 with 4 home runs and 34 RBI.[12] He became a free agent following the season on November 7, 2016.[13]

Chicago Cubs

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On March 7, 2017, Martínez signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[14]

On April 4, 2017, Martínez signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs. He played in 61 games split between the Double-A Tennessee Smokies and the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, hitting a cumulative .240/.276/.302 with 2 home runs and 12 RBI. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.[15]

Road Warriors

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Martínez signed with the Road Warriors of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball for the 2018 season. He was released on July 9, 2018, but re-signed with the team on August 2. Martínez became a free agent following the season.[16] In 105 games he hit .256/.307/.347 with 7 homeruns and 27 RBIs.

New Britain Bees

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On March 5, 2019, Martínez signed with the New Britain Bees of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[17] He became a free agent following the 2019 season. In 103 games he hit .227/.293/.298 with 3 home runs and 27 RBIs.

Cleburne Railroaders

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On February 24, 2021, Martínez signed with the Cleburne Railroaders of the American Association of Professional Baseball. He was released on December 2, 2021.[18] In 89 games he hit .315/.368/.487 with 14 home runs and 56 RBIs.

Sioux Falls Canaries

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On May 21, 2022, Martínez signed with the Sioux Falls Canaries of the American Association of Professional Baseball.[19] In 86 games he hit .271/.341/.356 with 6 home runs and 35 RBI. He was named an All-Star for Sioux Falls in 2022.[20] He was released by the team on September 13.

On May 18, 2023, Martínez re-signed with the Canaries.[21] In 71 games for Sioux Falls, he slashed .277/.352/.315 with two home runs, 22 RBI, and eight stolen bases. After the 2023 season, he became a free agent.

Sioux City Explorers

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On May 24, 2024, Martínez signed with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Professional Baseball.[22] In 83 games he hit .291/.367/.381 with 5 home runs, 42 RBIs and 8 stolen bases.

References

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  1. ^ "Chicago Cubs vs. Florida Marlins Box Score". ESPN.com. September 19, 2010. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  2. ^ "Cardinals at Marlins Box Score and Play by Play". Baseball Reference. September 20, 2010. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  3. ^ Frisaro, Joe (September 29, 2011). "Miami nice: Marlins introduce Guillen as skipper". MLB.com. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  4. ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (July 10, 2012). "Dodgers Acquire Osvaldo Martinez". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  5. ^ Hernandez, Dylan (November 23, 2012). "Accident victim Alfredo Silverio re-signed by Dodgers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  6. ^ Wilmoth, Charlie (May 18, 2014). "Minor Moves: Osvaldo Martinez, Angel Sanchez". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  7. ^ "Baltimore Orioles sign Osvaldo Martinez to a Minor League Deal". birdswatcher.com. June 2, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  8. ^ "Baltimore Orioles: Middle Infield Depth, Signing of Ozzie Martinez". thebaltimorewire.com. November 18, 2014. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  9. ^ Minor League Transactions: Nov. 7-13
  10. ^ "Looking for the diamond in the rough among the Orioles non-roster invitees". camdenchat.com. February 9, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  11. ^ "Orioles Add 17 Major League Spring Training Players". cbsnews.com. February 10, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  12. ^ "Tides hit double digits in completing sweep of Durham". pilotonline.com. June 20, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  13. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2016". baseballamerica.com. November 8, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  14. ^ "New Britain Herald - New Britain Bees sign former big leaguers Ford, Martinez, Gervacio".
  15. ^ "Outgoing Cubs Minor League Free Agents: John Andreoli, Trey Martin, Among Others". bleachernation.com. November 7, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  16. ^ "New Britain Herald - New Britain Bees sign former big leaguers Ford, Martinez, Gervacio".
  17. ^ "New Britain Herald - New Britain Bees sign former big leaguers Ford, Martinez, Gervacio".
  18. ^ "American Association of Professional Baseball - 2021 Transactions".
  19. ^ "American Association of Professional Baseball - 2022 Transactions".
  20. ^ "Meet Your 2022 American Association All-Star Teams". minorleaguesportsreport.com. June 30, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  21. ^ "American Association of Professional Baseball - 2023 Transactions".
  22. ^ "2024 Transactions". aabaseball.com. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
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