Martín Prado
Encyclopedia
Martín Manuel Prado is a professional baseball player who currently plays for the Atlanta Braves
.
Prado made his major league debut on April 23, , going 1 for 2 and logging a triple
. He was later sent down to the AAA Richmond Braves
, but was called back up to the majors later in the season. He hit his first career home run
on September 14, 2006, against Jamie Moyer
of the Philadelphia Phillies
.
Prado was called up for the season on May 20 and was sent down on June 2. He was called up again on August 7. He was sent down on August 22 to make room for the recently activated Edgar Rentería
, but Renteria left with an injury in his first at bat
since being injured that sent him to the disabled list
again so Prado was called up again a day later. Subsequently, Prado was sent down again the next day. He was called up to stay on September 4.
In the 9th inning of the September 12, 2007, game against the New York Mets
, Prado hit a ball in play and, upon dropping his bat to head towards first base, the bat stood perfectly upright
. SportsNet New York
commentator Keith Hernandez
described the incident as one "that would never happen in a hundred years."
During the 2009 season, Prado stepped in as the Braves' starter at second base when Kelly Johnson went on the disabled list midway through the season. Prado took full advantage of the opportunity, to the extent that he remained the starter at second, batting second in the lineup, even after Johnson's return to the active roster. Prado's final stats for the season consisted of a .307 average, 14 home runs, 49 RBIs, and 64 runs scored in 450 at-bats over the course of 128 games. In addition to playing 63 games at second, he showed versatility by playing 41 games at third and 28 at first.
Prado made a huge statement in his career on May 10, 2010, against the Milwaukee Brewers
in which he hit a grand slam against Brewers pitcher, Manny Parra
. Over the course of the season, he was moved from the No. 2 spot in the batting order to the leadoff spot to take advantage of his high batting average.
Prado told reporters that he lost 14 pounds during the 2010 off-season doing the P90X
fitness program, and is starting spring training stronger and "more agile."
On July 8, 2010, Prado led the Major Leagues in hits with 121 and led the NL with a .325 Batting Average. He was selected to the 2010 All-Star Game as a reserve, and started in place of Chase Utley
. In late September, Prado suffered from a hip pointer, and an MRI revealed that he had a torn external oblique, causing him to miss the remainder of the season and the playoffs.
in a trade for Omar Infante
and reliever Mike Dunn
. Although the trade was widely praised, it left the Braves in a conundrum as they now had two All Star starting second basemen on the roster. Prado was approached about moving to left field, which he did without any public complaint. Prado's willingness to place his own career potential at second base on the line for the betterment of the team quickly drew comparisons to Chipper Jones
' similar move from third base to left field in 2002 and 2003.
On May 13, 2011, in a game versus the Washington Nationals in which the Braves were trailing 5-1 in the 7th inning, Prado notched his second career Grand Slam after a 10-pitch duel with Nationals reliever Sean Burnett
, putting the Braves on course to win 6-5 in the 10th inning.
On July 26, 2011 in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates that ended with a controversial call on a play at home plate, Prado went 0-for-9 and left eight men on base. He was on deck when the game ended.
Prado was treated for a staph infection in his right calf and placed on the 15-day DL on June 10, 2011. He returned from the disabled list on July 15, going 2-5 with a home run in his first game back.
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
.
Prado made his major league debut on April 23, , going 1 for 2 and logging a triple
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
. He was later sent down to the AAA Richmond Braves
Richmond Braves
The Richmond Braves were the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and played in the International League. Colloquially referred to as the R-Braves, they were based in Richmond, Virginia, where they played from 1966, when the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta where their AAA team, the Crackers,...
, but was called back up to the majors later in the season. He hit his first career home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
on September 14, 2006, against Jamie Moyer
Jamie Moyer
Jamie Moyer is an American professional left handed baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. At the time of his last game to date , he was the oldest player in the major leagues and had the most wins, losses, and strikeouts of any active Major League pitcher...
of the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
.
Prado was called up for the season on May 20 and was sent down on June 2. He was called up again on August 7. He was sent down on August 22 to make room for the recently activated Edgar Rentería
Edgar Rentería
Edgar Enrique Rentería Herazo , nicknamed "The Barranquilla Baby," is a Colombian professional baseball shortstop. He throws and bats right-handed. Previously, he has played for the Florida Marlins, the St...
, but Renteria left with an injury in his first at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
since being injured that sent him to the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
again so Prado was called up again a day later. Subsequently, Prado was sent down again the next day. He was called up to stay on September 4.
In the 9th inning of the September 12, 2007, game against the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, Prado hit a ball in play and, upon dropping his bat to head towards first base, the bat stood perfectly upright
. SportsNet New York
SportsNet New York
SportsNet New York is a New York City-based regional sports cable network which airs in the New York metro area and all of New York state, and nationwide via satellite. It is owned jointly by the New York Mets, Time Warner Cable, and NBCUniversal...
commentator Keith Hernandez
Keith Hernandez
Keith Barlow Hernandez is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He is currently a baseball analyst working for the New York Mets, for whom he played from –, on SportsNet New York and WPIX television broadcasts...
described the incident as one "that would never happen in a hundred years."
During the 2009 season, Prado stepped in as the Braves' starter at second base when Kelly Johnson went on the disabled list midway through the season. Prado took full advantage of the opportunity, to the extent that he remained the starter at second, batting second in the lineup, even after Johnson's return to the active roster. Prado's final stats for the season consisted of a .307 average, 14 home runs, 49 RBIs, and 64 runs scored in 450 at-bats over the course of 128 games. In addition to playing 63 games at second, he showed versatility by playing 41 games at third and 28 at first.
Prado made a huge statement in his career on May 10, 2010, against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in which he hit a grand slam against Brewers pitcher, Manny Parra
Manny Parra
Manuel Alex "Manny" Parra is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers.-Early life:...
. Over the course of the season, he was moved from the No. 2 spot in the batting order to the leadoff spot to take advantage of his high batting average.
Prado told reporters that he lost 14 pounds during the 2010 off-season doing the P90X
P90X
P90X, or Power 90 Extreme, is a home exercise system developed by Tony Horton in conjunction with Beachbody CEO Carl Daikeler, Beachbody Fitness Advisor Steve Edwards, nutritionist Carrie Wyatt, Creative Director Ned Farr, and workout video director Mason Bendewald of MEGA MACE productions...
fitness program, and is starting spring training stronger and "more agile."
On July 8, 2010, Prado led the Major Leagues in hits with 121 and led the NL with a .325 Batting Average. He was selected to the 2010 All-Star Game as a reserve, and started in place of Chase Utley
Chase Utley
Chase Cameron Utley is a second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball. A native of the Greater Los Angeles area, he was raised in the city of Long Beach. He was a star baseball player at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, before moving on to UCLA...
. In late September, Prado suffered from a hip pointer, and an MRI revealed that he had a torn external oblique, causing him to miss the remainder of the season and the playoffs.
2011 Season
In the 2010-11 off-season the Braves acquired former Florida Marlins starting second baseman Dan UgglaDan Uggla
Daniel Cooley Uggla is an American professional baseball second baseman with the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball....
in a trade for Omar Infante
Omar Infante
Omar Rafael Infante [in-FAHN-tay] is a Major League Baseball utility player who is currently on the Miami Marlins...
and reliever Mike Dunn
Michael Dunn (baseball)
Michael G. Dunn is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Miami Marlins.-Baseball career:Dunn played collegiate baseball for the Community College of Southern Nevada from 2003 to 2005...
. Although the trade was widely praised, it left the Braves in a conundrum as they now had two All Star starting second basemen on the roster. Prado was approached about moving to left field, which he did without any public complaint. Prado's willingness to place his own career potential at second base on the line for the betterment of the team quickly drew comparisons to Chipper Jones
Chipper Jones
Larry Wayne "Chipper" Jones, Jr. is a Major League baseball player for the National League's Atlanta Braves. Although initially a shortstop, he has spent most of his career as the starting third baseman for the Braves...
' similar move from third base to left field in 2002 and 2003.
On May 13, 2011, in a game versus the Washington Nationals in which the Braves were trailing 5-1 in the 7th inning, Prado notched his second career Grand Slam after a 10-pitch duel with Nationals reliever Sean Burnett
Sean Burnett
Sean Richard Burnett is a relief pitcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first round in 2000 after leading Wellington High School to a 6A State Title in his senior year.Known for his change-up, remarkable control, presence,...
, putting the Braves on course to win 6-5 in the 10th inning.
On July 26, 2011 in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates that ended with a controversial call on a play at home plate, Prado went 0-for-9 and left eight men on base. He was on deck when the game ended.
Prado was treated for a staph infection in his right calf and placed on the 15-day DL on June 10, 2011. He returned from the disabled list on July 15, going 2-5 with a home run in his first game back.