Manny Machado

At 31 years old, Manny Machado has this physical status:

Manuel Arturo Machado (Spanish) is a professional baseball third baseman and shortstop for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born in Miami, where he attended Brito High School and was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles with the third overall pick in the 2010 MLB draft. He bats and throws right-handed.

Machado made his MLB debut in August 2012. Machado had a breakout year in 2013 and made his way to the American League in doubles with 51 runs. He was also named one of the best fielders in the game, winning the Gold Glove Award. Machado earned his second Gold Glove in 2015 and 2022, and the All-Star Game in 2015. His defensive prowess has earned him frequent comparisons to former Orioles third baseman and Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson. Machado, an upcoming free agent, was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018 and helped the team advance to the World Series. Machado signed the Padres to a 10-year, $300 million deal, the first in North American sports at the time.

Early life

Machado was born and raised in Miami, Florida. Rosa Machado, his grandfather, Francisco Nunez, and his uncle, Geovanny Brito, raised him. He is of Dominican origins. Machado was born in Hialeah alongside Cincinnati Reds outfielder Albert Almora, and although they are not related by blood, they still consider each other to be cousins.

Machado attended Brito Miami Private School in Miami and decided to attend Florida International University. He grew up to be a fan of the Miami Marlins.

Personal life

Machado married Yainee Alonso, the sister of Yonder Alonso, in November 2014. They reside in Coral Gables, Florida, and have two homes there in the offseason. During the season, he lives in Coronado, California. As he grew up, he had a dog named Kobe because he was a huge fan of basketball player Kobe Bryant.

Dan Lozano, Machado's agent, is on staff. At the start of his career, Scott Boras was his agent.

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Professional career

Machado was voted third overall by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2010 MLB draft. He was the second high school player to be selected, as well as the second position player. He signed a $5.25 million deal just minutes before the deadline was set on August 16, 2010. Machado spent the summer of 2010 playing for the USA Baseball's 18-and-under national team, while his agent Scott Boras was negotiating his deal. Machado was introduced by the Orioles in mid-September while the Orioles hosted the New York Yankees.

Machado announced to the Orioles minor league complex on August 22 to join the Gulf Coast League Orioles. Machado made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast League Orioles on August 27, 2010, where he went 0-for-3 with a strikeout. He was the designated hitter on his team. In his second game with the Orioles, Machado scored his first professional home run. Machado made his Low-A Aberdeen IronBirds of the New York–Penn League debut on August 30, 2010, when he went 1-for-3 with a single. He played shortstop rather than being the DH, and he was suspended after the fifth inning. Machado played shortstop for the Delmarva Shorebirds in 2011 and began the season. He hit five home runs before May 1, and was named South Atlantic League player of the week for April 25 – May 1. After missing several weeks due to a knee injury, he played ten more games and appeared in the SAL All-Star Game on June 21, 2011. He was then promoted to the High-A Frederick Keys after the game. He was selected to play in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game.

Machado was promoted by the Orioles from the Double-A Bowie Baysox to MLB against the Kansas City Royals on August 9. As the team already had J. J. Hardy at shortstop, he started at third base. He made his first and second home runs against the same opponent on the day, making him the youngest Oriole and 12th youngest player in major league history to have a multi-homer game. Luke Hochevar, the former number one overall draft pick, was bothered by the two home runs. On August 12, Bruce Chen hit his third home run in his career. Machado scored his first career postseason home run in Game 3 of the 2012 ALDS. In five games, the Orioles lost the division series to the New York Yankees.

Machado played in all 51 of the remaining Oriole games in his rookie season. He hit.262 in 202 plate appearances, three triples, 7 home runs, 26 RBI, and two steals in as many attempts. He had 50 hits and scored 24 runs.

Machado had three hits on May 27, tying for the most multi-hit games in history before age 21; on May 30, he went 2-for-3 to smash Cobb's record. Machado's 44 hits in May 2013 were the second-most in a month by a player under the age of 21 in comparison to Mickey Mantle's 46 in July 1952. Machado led the major leagues with 25 doubles and tied for first place in hits (79), with reigning AL MVP Miguel Cabrera. Machado scored his 37th double in his first full season, putting him on a collision course (67) on his first full season.

Machado argued a correctly ruled strike three call on June 27, 2013, resulting in his first MLB dismissal. Will Little, the umpire who yelled him out, was suspended for the first time in his career.

In the first half, he slashed.310/.337/.470 with 7 home runs, 45 RBI, and 39 doubles.

Machado sustained a left knee injury while advancing to first base on September 23, 2013. Machado was admitted to the hospital immediately and the game was played on a stretcher. At 207, the player also ended his games played streak at 207. Machado was held out for the remainder of the 2013 season. He finished the year with a record of 283/.432 runs, 71 RBI, and 51 doubles. (.973) He led the American League in doubles, at-bats (667), and a third base fielding percentage at third base.

Machado performed reconstructive surgery on his knee to eliminate the possibility of future displacements. The surgery will sideline him for 4–6 months, but he is expected to recover soon after the event around Opening Day.

Machado received the Gold Glove Award at third base on October 29, the first by an Oriole third baseman since Brooks Robinson's 16-year tenure from 1960 to 1975. Machado received the AL Platinum Glove Award on November 8 of the same year.

He was taken from the disabled list following knee surgery recovery, and on May 1, he was welcomed by the hometown Baltimore crowds prior to his first game of a doubleheader sweep over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Machado scored his 1st grand slam in a 9-4 victory over the Houston Astros on June 1, 2014.

Machado was running to third base on a ground ball when he was tagged by Oakland Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson on June 6, 2014. This resulting in a bench-clearing brawl. During the follow-through of his swing, Machado struck Athletics catcher Derek Norris with his bat on June 8, 2014. As a result, Norris was ruled out of the game. Machado threw his bat in the direction of third base in reaction to two consecutive inside pitches thrown by Oakland reliever Fernando Abad in the 8th inning. The umpires found that the bat was meant for Abad, and both Abad and Machado were banned from the game. Machado released a formal apology to his colleagues and Oakland the next day. Machado was fined and suspended five games for his behavior on June 10, a few games later. Machado began serving his suspension on June 30 after losing an appeal.

Machado suffered his right knee while batting against the New York Yankees on August 11, the New York Yankees. Despite initially calling it a sprain, the Orioles announced that the injury necessitated surgery and that Machado was out for the season.

Machado's 2014 season was a success. He had already set a record for home runs by June 18, which was 14 in 2013. He was selected to the American League roster for the 2015 All-Star Game and was selected as a participant in the 2015 Home Run Derby. On October 1, Machado scored two home runs and stole two bases against the Toronto Blue Jays, becoming the 16th player—and first Oriole—to have a multi-homer, multi-steal game since 1901. He was the seventh Oriole to have 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season.

Machado was the only major league player to play in all 162 games in 2015. After collecting 181 hits, he batted.286, as well as 35 home runs, 86 RBIs, and 20 steals. He was the best-speed runner in the American League at (25.5). He made 21 errors, his fifth-most of all players in the AL and second-most of all AL third basemen. He came in third place in MVP voting in the American League and won his second Rawlings Gold Glove award for his outstanding defensive play at third place. Machado led to career-high figures in games played (162), runs scored, home runs, walks, steals, batting average, on-base percentage, on-base plus slugging, and Wins Above Replacement.

Machado made it to the first ten games of the season. Machado's hit streak extended to 16 games on April 23, a new career record. Machado's hit streak reached its high point just 16 games before the game came to an end. Machado went 27-for-68 while slashing.397/.779/.779, while driving in 11 runs during the hot streak. In a 10–2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on April 28, he took his second grand slam and drove in a career-high five runs. Machado was named AL Player of the Month for April after going 33-for-96 (.344), with five doubles, seven home runs, driving in 17 runs, while slugging.667 with a.394 on-base percentage.

Machado hit two home runs (including his second grand slam of the year) on May 8 against the A's, setting a new career record for RBIs, while driving in six in an 11–3 win.

Machado charged the mound against Kansas City Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura, punching Ventura in the chest and igniting a benches-clearing brawl on June 7. With a first-pitch, 99-mph fastball in the back, Machado charged the mound. Both players were suspended. Machado received a four-game suspension for the incident, which he had intended to appeal but ultimately decided not to appeal. The suspension was in effect from June 19 to 22, 2016. Machado went 2-for-4 in his first game back and homerun.

Machado's record was.318/.375/.569 with a.944 OPS, 19 home runs, and 53 RBIs before the All-Star break. He had 109 hits and was named to his third All-Star game and his first ASG debut. Manny was 0-for-3 in the ASG.

In a 10–2 victory over the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field on August 7, he was the second player in MLB history to reach a home run in each of the first three innings of a game. Carl Reynolds of the White Sox won by 15–4 in the nightcap of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium on July 2, 1930. Machado was actually the first to cross the fence; two of Reynolds' were inside the park; two of Reynolds' were not able to reach all three. For the first time since the Seattle Mariners' Mike Cameron did it in the same ballpark in a 15–4 victory on May 2, 2002, the three homers were within three innings of a game. Machado became the ninth player to homer in three straight innings at any time during a match, and the first Oriole to reach three in a game since Chris Davis in a 9–2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 20, 2014.

Machado's 30th and 31st home runs of the season on August 26, making him his third Oriole to reach 30 runs (Mark Trumbo & Chris Davis). The three players were the first trio of the Orioles to reach 30+ home runs in a single season. It was also Machado's tenth homer of the month, making him, Trumbo and Davis the first trio of Orioles with 10 or more home runs in a month. Machado beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5–3. He made it to his 100th home run in his career. In his 578th game, he became the third fastest Oriole to reach 100 home runs in his third game. He also became the youngest Oriole to reach his 100th home run (24 years, 55 days).

Machado scored his third grand slam of the season on September 6 in an 11–2 victory over the Rays. With the homer, he set a new career high in the RBI column, beating his 86 from last season. It was also his 102nd home run in his career, tying him with teammate JJ Hardy for 25th on the all-time Orioles home run list. He was the first Oriole to have three grand slams in the same season. He also tied for most grand slams in a season aged 24 or younger. Manny had five RBIs in the game, and joined Miguel Tejada and Jim Gentile as the only Orioles players with four five-RBI games in the same season. Machado hit his first season-high in home runs against the Tampa Bay Rays on September 18, his 36th in total runs. Machado's regular season ended with 157 games, slashing.393/.533, shooting a career-best 37 home runs and driving in a career-best 96 runs. He set career highs in runs scored, strikeouts, batting average, slugging percentage, OPS, and total bases.

Machado and the Orioles avoided arbitration by committing to a $11.5 million contract for the 2017 season on January 13. Machado's second home run of the season on April 16, his second home run of the season, putting him at 107th place on the Orioles all-time list. Machado recorded a home run off CC Sabathia's wall above Monument Park in straightaway center field on April 28, 2017. Despite leading 9–1, the Orioles lost 11–14 in ten innings.

Machado was embroiled in the scandal surrounding his demise, Dustin Pedroia's ankle injury, and the former sidelined the player for three games on April 21. Machado denied that the ostensible late slide was accidental and called Pedroia after the game. Nonetheless, two days later, Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez appeared to intentionally throw at Machado's knees, missing each time. A few innings later, reliever Matt Barnes barely avoided Machado's head and batted his bat. Barnes was banned from playing for the fourth time and was banned from playing in a 4-game suspension. Barnes denied the near-miss was intentional: "Well, it wasn't really a line you don't cross," Machado skipped a pitch from Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale, who went missing behind him. Machado expressed disappointment with how the MLB had handled the situation after the game in a profanity-laced interview:

Machado became the first Oriole in franchise history to hit 270 extra base hits before turning 25 on May 10 – the 30th player to do so in MLB history.

Machado's seventh innings scored a game-winning grand slam against the Angels on August 7. He reached his second grand slam of the season a week later. Machado's third home run of the season and his seventh grand slam in his career were all four days. It was also his second homer game, bringing Chris Davis, Goose Goslin, Eddie Murray, and Boog Powell as the only Orioles to play in franchise history with multiple three-homer games. He was also the first Orioles player to record multiple 3-grand slam seasons, and only the second player in recorded MLB history with back-to-back seasons of three or more grand slams. He hit a walk-off solo home run on August 23, his fourth of his career, on his fourth appearance. Machado also hit three walk-off home runs in 2017, the most by any MLB player this season.

Machado was named AL Player of the Month in August, slashing.341/.690 for an OPS of 1.038. While driving in 35 runs and scoring 23 times, he hit 12 home runs, six doubles, and one triple.

Despite a rough start in the first half, Machado's season continued in the second half, with 33 doubles, 33 home runs, 95 RBI, and nine stolen bases. He made 14 errors, second-most among AL third basemen. He was also a finalist for the Rawlings Gold Glove award, losing to fellow AL East third baseman Evan Longoria.

Machado was called back to shortstop in 2018, his first position. Machado was named the starting shortstop for the 2018 MLB All-Star Game, hitting.313 with 21 home runs and 60 RBIs.

Yusniel Diaz, Dean Kremer, Rylan Bannon, Breyvic Valera, and Zach Pop were all traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 18, 2018. He's inability to use his No. Since it was already worn by outfielder Max Muncy, Machado selected uniform No. 13 in Los Angeles, since it was already worn by the infielder Max Muncy, Machado chose uniform No. 8 because he was a Kobe Bryant fan growing up. He debuted as a Dodger against the Milwaukee Brewers on July 20 and had two singles and two walks. On August 9, off Tyler Anderson of the Colorado Rockies, he scored his 1,000th career hit. Machado batted.273 runs, 13 home runs, and 42 RBI in 66 games with the Dodgers. Machado played 162 games in 2018 with an average of.297, 35 doubles, 37 home runs, and 103 RBI, together with both teams.

The Dodgers clinched the NL West pennant after defeating the Rockies 5–2 in a tiebreaker. Machado was fined an undisclosed sum for his running into first base in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Brewers. Machado intentionally hit the foot of Brewers' first baseman Jesus Aguilar with his own, which caused the benches to clear. Machado was the final out of the 2018 World Series, winning over Chris Sale to end game five. He only scored.182 in the series, with no extra-base hits.

Machado committed to the San Diego Padres for ten years, signing a 10-year, $300 million deal on February 21, 2019. It was the first free-agent deal in American sports until Bryce Harper re-signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in a 13-year, $330 million contract two weeks later.

Machado's first year in San Diego was.256/.334/.462 with 32 home runs and 85 RBIs, leading the majors with 24 double plays grounded into.

Machado's second year with the Padres, which was reduced to 60 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he finished third in the National League, with 16 home runs and 47 RBIs. He also led all qualifying third basemen with a 98 percent fielding percentage. He came third in NL MVP polling, behind Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts.

After Ronald Acua Jr. suffered a torn ACL, Machado was selected to the 2021 MLB All-Star Game. Machado batted.278/.389/.489 for 28 home runs and 106 RBIs in 2021. He flies in the National League as the National League's 11 sacrifice flies lead the National League.

International career

In 2009, he competed for the 18U United States team in the COPABE Pan Am "AAA" Championship. They were 8–0, won the gold medal, and qualified for the 2010 World Junior Baseball Championships.

Machado was a member of the Dominican Republic of the 2017 World Baseball Classic, where he was dubbed "El Ministro de la Defensa" for his defense. He was voted the most valuable player in the first round of Pool C, in which he batted.357.

In Pool F, the Dominican team lost to the United States, thus losing in the championship round. Machado won.269/.462 in six games, defeating a pair of doubles and a home run in six games.

He expressed his decision as:

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