Martin Manuel Prado was born on October 27, 1983 in
Venezuela and has spent time with the Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, and
now is a member of the New York Yankees. Prado was a last minute trading
deadline deal which saw Peter O’Brien and a player to be named later or cash
head to Arizona in exchange for Prado. Prado spent the 2006-2012 seasons in
Atlanta and spent part of 2012, all of 2013, and half of this season in
Arizona. Prado will spend the rest of this season, next season, and the 2016
season in New York after signing a huge contract with Arizona.
Prado made his major league debut on April 23, 2006 going
1-2 with a triple only to be sent down to Triple-A. Prado was eventually called
back up to the show and hit his first career home run on September 14, 2006 off
the forever young Jamie Moyer. Prado would start the 2007 back in Richmond with
the Richmond Braves and would spend much of the season traveling between
Richmond and Atlanta. Prado was called up to the Braves three different times
during the 2007 season and was called up to stay on September 4. Prado was a
third baseman by trade but during the 2009 season he learned a new position out
of necessity in second base when former Yankee Kelly Johnson went on the
disabled list at the midway point of the season. Prado took advantage of the
opportunity and remained at second and as the team’s #2 hitter throughout the
season even after Johnson returned from the DL. Prado finished 2009 with a .307
average with 14 home runs and 49 RBI in 450 at bats.
Prado would become the Braves leadoff hitter in 2010 and
made the very best of it all season long. Prado was coming into the 2010 season
after losing 14 pounds during the offseason after doing the P90X exercise program.
Heading into the All Star Break in 2010 Prado led the majors in hits with 121
and led the National League in batting average with a .325 mark. Prado would
make his first All Star Game that season backing up the Phillies Chase Utley.
While the season started out great Prado would suffer a hip pointer injury and
a torn oblique muscle that would end his season prematurely. Before the 2011
season Atlanta acquired second baseman Dan Uggla for Omar Infante and reliever
Mike Dunn bumping Prado from second. Prado was moved to left field and never
publicly complained about the move.
Prado was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks before the 2013
season with Randall Delgado, Nick Ahmed, Zeke Sprull, and Brandon Drury for
Justin Upton and Chris Johnson. Prado quickly agreed to an extension with
Arizona on a four year deal worth $40 million. Prado had an up and down 2013
season with Arizona spending time at multiple positions. Prado was having a
down season in 2014 until the calendar turned July and has hit better recently.
On July 31st Prado was traded in a last minute deal to the New York
Yankees for catcher Peter O’Brien and a player to be named later or cash.
Welcome to New York Martin, we have been beating the drum for you all season
long and finally someone listened. Make us proud sir.
Yanks need more pitching. Pineda and Tanaka would be awesome.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm beginning to like the trade, since O'Brien is a knock on defense and Prado plays all over the place. O'Brien is all or nothing and Prado is consistency with good drive. Prado in a long haul will help win more and O'Brien might just also be the opposite. Too bad O'Brien wasn't quality at a couple defensive positions and will strike out more at the MLB level.
ReplyDeleteYanks need to monitor Severino's pitch count due the reported soreness. If he's OK, maybe they could promote him to pitch out the pen and help the relievers'. That would be looking out for his pitch count while getting his feet wet to see how it be.
ReplyDeleteWithout improving the pitching, the season will end sooner than later.
ReplyDeleteHeriberto, welcome to the family sir.
ReplyDeletePineda threw 3.1 shutout innings today and his rehab clock has started. barring any set backs we will see Pineda in 30 days or less, I'm guessing less. The Tanaka decision comes tomorrow whether we start his rehab program or he is done for the season.
O'Brien's biggest drawback was not having a position. He was listed as a catcher, infielder, and outfielder. He didn't do any of them especially well but he slugged the hell out of the ball and sometimes that's enough.
Severino is barely in AA, asking him to come out of the pen this season is rushing him A TON. Won't happen and shouldn't you. It can really stunt his development and his confidence if he struggles.