Martin Maldonado is a professional baseball player who has had a successful career in the sport. He was born on August 16, 1986, in Naguabo, Puerto Rico, and began playing baseball at a young age. Maldonado attended high school in Puerto Rico and was scouted by the Milwaukee Brewers, who signed him as an amateur free agent in 2004.
Maldonado began his professional career in the minor leagues, playing for various teams in the Brewers' organization. He made his major league debut with the Brewers in 2011 and played for the team until 2016. During his time with the Brewers, Maldonado was primarily a backup catcher, but he also played some games at first base and in the outfield. He was known for his strong defensive skills and his ability to throw out baserunners.
In 2017, Maldonado was traded to the Los Angeles Angels, where he became the team's starting catcher. He had a strong season with the Angels, hitting .221 with 14 home runs and 38 RBIs. He also won the Gold Glove award for his defensive play behind the plate.
Maldonado played for the Angels for part of the 2018 season before being traded to the Houston Astros. He played a key role in the Astros' run to the World Series that year, hitting .231 with 3 home runs and 10 RBIs in the postseason. The Astros ultimately lost to the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS.
Maldonado returned to the Astros in 2019 and continued to be a solid defensive catcher for the team. He hit .213 with 12 home runs and 27 RBIs that season. In 2020, Maldonado played in all 60 games of the shortened season, hitting .215 with 6 home runs and 24 RBIs.
Maldonado became a free agent after the 2020 season but re-signed with the Astros for the 2021 season. He continued to be the team's starting catcher and had a strong season, hitting .215 with 10 home runs and 34 RBIs. He also helped lead the Astros to the ALCS, where they lost to the Red Sox.
Overall, Martin Maldonado has had a successful career in baseball, known for his strong defensive skills and ability to handle a pitching staff. He has played for three different teams during his career and has been a valuable contributor to each of them.
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