Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Manuel Margot

Discover the career path of Manuel Margot, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Manuel Margot is a Dominican professional baseball center fielder currently playing for the Detroit Tigers in MLB. He debuted in 2016 with the San Diego Padres and has since played for the Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins. Margot is known for his skills as an outfielder.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

July 2011: Signed by Boston Red Sox

In July 2011, Manuel Margot was signed by the Boston Red Sox as an international free agent from the Dominican Prospect League, receiving a reported bonus of $800,000.

2012: Professional Debut and Award

In 2012, at age 17, Manuel Margot started his professional career with the Rookie Level Dominican Summer League Red Sox and earned Red Sox Minor League Latin Program Player of the Year honors.

2013: Played with Lowell Spinners

In 2013, Manuel Margot played for the Lowell Spinners as the youngest regular in the Low-A New York–Penn League, experiencing a hamstring injury mid-season but finishing with a .270 average and 18 stolen bases in 49 games.

2014: Played for Greenville Drive and Salem Red Sox

In 2014, Manuel Margot played for the Low-A Greenville Drive, posting a .282/.362/.418 line before being promoted to High-A Salem Red Sox on August 15. He led the Red Sox minor league system with 42 stolen bases and climbed to No. 4 in the MLB.com Top 20 Boston Red Sox Prospects list.

November 13, 2015: Traded to San Diego Padres

On November 13, 2015, Manuel Margot was traded to the San Diego Padres from the Red Sox along with Javier Guerra, Carlos Asuaje, and Logan Allen for Craig Kimbrel.

November 19, 2015: Added to Padres 40-man Roster

On November 19, 2015, the Padres added Manuel Margot to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.

2015: Promotion to Double-A and Futures Game Selection

In 2015, Manuel Margot improved his batting line with Salem and earned a promotion to the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs midseason. He was selected for the World Team in the Futures Game. He hit for the cycle in a game against the New Britain Rock Cats.

September 21, 2016: MLB Debut

On September 21, 2016, Manuel Margot was promoted to the major leagues by the Padres and made his MLB debut as a pinch runner and defensive replacement against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

2016: MLB Debut with Padres

In 2016, Manuel Margot made his Major League Baseball debut with the San Diego Padres.

2016: Played for El Paso Chihuahuas

In 2016, Manuel Margot played for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, batting .304 with 6 home runs.

2017: Starting Center Fielder and Rookie of the Year Voting

In 2017, despite a knee injury, Manuel Margot made the Opening Day roster as the starting center fielder for the Padres. He missed a month due to a calf injury but finished the season with a .263/.313/.409 batting line and finished sixth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.

2018: Regular Center Fielder for Padres

In 2018, Manuel Margot was the Padres' regular center fielder, starting 123 games. His batting line dropped to .245/.292/.384 with 8 home runs and 11 stolen bases, and he missed 10 days with bruised ribs in April.

2019: Reduced Time in Center Field

In 2019, Manuel Margot began losing time in center field, making 98 starts there, while Wil Myers picked up 58 starts. He played in a career-high 151 games, batting .234/.304/.387 with 12 home runs and 20 stolen bases. He led the Padres with 11 outs above average.

February 8, 2020: Traded to Tampa Bay Rays

On February 8, 2020, Manuel Margot was traded by the Padres to the Tampa Bay Rays along with prospect Logan Driscoll in exchange for Emilio Pagán.

2021: Played for the Tampa Bay Rays

During the 2021 season, Manuel Margot played in 125 games for the Rays, batting .254/.313/.382 with 10 home runs, 57 RBI, and 13 stolen bases.

April 5, 2022: Contract Extension with Rays

On April 5, 2022, Manuel Margot and the Rays agreed to a two-year contract extension worth $19 million, with a mutual option for 2025.

December 16, 2023: Traded to Los Angeles Dodgers

On December 16, 2023, Manuel Margot was traded by the Rays along with Tyler Glasnow to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Ryan Pepiot and Jonny DeLuca.