Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Manny Machado

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Manny Machado made an impact.

Manny Machado is a prominent American professional baseball player, currently a third baseman and shortstop for the San Diego Padres in MLB. A highly touted prospect since his youth in Miami, he was drafted third overall by the Baltimore Orioles in 2010. Machado is a right-handed batter and thrower, and he has also represented the Dominican Republic in international baseball competitions.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2009: COPABE Pan Am "AAA" Championship

In 2009, Manny Machado played for the 18U United States team in the COPABE Pan Am "AAA" Championship.

August 16, 2010: Signed with Orioles

On August 16, 2010, Manny Machado signed a $5.25 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles, just minutes before the deadline.

August 27, 2010: Professional Debut

On August 27, 2010, Manny Machado made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast League Orioles, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout as the designated hitter.

August 30, 2010: Debut with Aberdeen IronBirds

On August 30, 2010, Manny Machado debuted with the Low-A Aberdeen IronBirds of the New York–Penn League, going 1-for-3 with a single while playing shortstop.

2010: Keith Law's Assessment

In 2010, Keith Law of ESPN.com assessed that if Manny Machado stayed at shortstop, he could become an All-Star offensively and be at least an average fielder.

2010: Drafted by Baltimore Orioles

In 2010, Manny Machado was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles as the third overall pick in the MLB draft after being highly recruited from Brito High School in Miami.

2010: World Junior Baseball Championship Qualification

In 2010, the 18U United States team, for which Manny Machado played, qualified for the World Junior Baseball Championship after winning the gold medal in the 2009 COPABE Pan Am "AAA" Championship with an 8-0 record.

June 21, 2011: SAL All-Star Game Appearance and Promotion

On June 21, 2011, Manny Machado appeared in the South Atlantic League (SAL) All-Star Game and was subsequently promoted to the High-A Frederick Keys after the game.

August 2012: MLB Debut

In August 2012, Manny Machado made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut.

2012: All-Star Futures Game Selection

In 2012, Manny Machado was named to appear in the All-Star Futures Game.

2012: MLB Promotion and First Home Runs

In 2012, Manny Machado was promoted to MLB by the Orioles and hit his first and second career home runs against the Kansas City Royals. He also hit his first career postseason home run in Game 3 of the ALDS.

June 27, 2013: First Career Ejection

On June 27, 2013, Manny Machado was ejected from an MLB game for the first time in his career after arguing a strike-three call. It was also the first career MLB ejection for the umpire, Will Little.

2013: Career High Home Runs Tied

By June 18, 2015, Manny Machado tied his career high for home runs, which was 14 in 2013

2013: All-Star and Gold Glove Season

In 2013, Manny Machado had a breakout year, earning a spot on the American League (AL) All-Star team and leading the league in doubles with 51. He also won a Gold Glove Award for his defensive skills.

2013: Fangraphs Evaluation

In 2013, during his first full MLB season, Fangraphs evaluated Manny Machado as the best third baseman in baseball by a significant margin.

June 1, 2014: First Career Grand Slam

On June 1, 2014, Manny Machado hit his first career grand slam in a 9–4 Orioles victory over the Houston Astros.

2015: Full Season and MVP Voting

In 2015, Manny Machado appeared in all 162 games, batting .286 with 35 home runs and 20 steals. He finished fourth in the American League MVP voting and won his second Gold Glove.

2015: All-Star and Home Run Derby Selection

In 2015, Manny Machado tied his career high for home runs by June 18. He was named to the American League roster for the 2015 MLB All-Star Game and selected as a participant for the 2015 Home Run Derby.

2017: Grand Slams and Walk-Off Home Runs

In 2017, Manny Machado hit a game-winning grand slam against the Angels in August, followed by his second grand slam a week later and a walk-off grand slam four days later. He hit three walk-off home runs in 2017, the most in MLB.

2017: World Baseball Classic

In 2017, Manny Machado played for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, where he was nicknamed "El Ministro de la Defensa" for his defensive skills. He was named the most valuable player in the first round's Pool C after batting .357.

July 18, 2018: Traded to the Dodgers

On July 18, 2018, Manny Machado was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Yusniel Diaz, Dean Kremer, Rylan Bannon, Breyvic Valera, and Zach Pop. He chose to wear No. 8 in honor of Kobe Bryant.

2018: All-Star Shortstop

In 2018, Manny Machado was moved back to shortstop and named the starting shortstop for the 2018 MLB All-Star Game, batting .313 with 21 home runs and 60 RBIs.

2018: Traded to Dodgers and Signed with Padres

In 2018, Manny Machado was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers and helped the team reach the World Series. Subsequently, he signed a 10-year, $300 million contract with the San Diego Padres.

February 21, 2019: Signed with San Diego Padres

On February 21, 2019, Manny Machado signed a 10-year, $300 million contract with the San Diego Padres, which was the largest free-agent contract in American sports history at the time.

2021: MLB All-Star Game Selection and Season Performance

In 2021, Manny Machado was named to the MLB All-Star Game as a replacement for Ronald Acuña Jr. after he suffered a torn ACL. During the 2021 season, Machado batted .278 with 28 home runs and 106 RBIs, leading the National League with 11 sacrifice flies.

2022: 2022 Season Performance and MVP Voting

In 2022, Manny Machado finished the season with a .298 batting average, 32 home runs, and 102 RBIs. He was sixth in the National League for RBIs, runs scored, and extra-base hits, and he finished second in NL MVP voting behind Paul Goldschmidt of the St. Louis Cardinals.

February 28, 2023: Contract Extension with Padres

On February 28, 2023, Manny Machado signed an 11-year, $350 million contract extension with the Padres that included a full no-trade provision, keeping him with the team through 2033.

2023: Ownership of San Diego FC

In 2023, Manny Machado became part of the ownership group for San Diego FC, an expansion team in Major League Soccer.

July 27, 2024: 1,000th Career RBI

On July 27, 2024, Manny Machado homered for his 1,000th career RBI at Camden Yards, driving in three runs in a 9-4 Padres victory.

September 10, 2024: Padres Career Home Run Leader

On September 10, 2024, Manny Machado became the Padres' career home run leader with 164 home runs, after hitting a home run off George Kirby of the Seattle Mariners.

April 8, 2025: 1,000th Career Run

On April 8, 2025, Manny Machado scored his 1,000th career run against the Athletics, hitting a solo home run in the first inning, although the Padres lost the game 10-4.

2025: San Diego FC Play Begins

In 2025, San Diego FC, a Major League Soccer expansion team of which Manny Machado is part of the ownership group, is scheduled to begin play.

2033: Contract Extension with Padres

On February 28, 2023, Manny Machado signed an 11-year, $350 million contract extension with the Padres that included a full no-trade provision, keeping him with the team through 2033.