The Chiba Lotte Marines have made history and signed Leonys and Andy Martin, the first Cuban-born brothers to be signed by an NPB team.
At age 36, Leonys Martin has played professional baseball since 2011, making up to the Texas Rangers in his 1st season after playing Rookie, Double-A, and Triple-A baseball, a part of the Rangers’ system. He made appearances from 2011-15 before being traded to the Seattle Mariners in the 2015 offseason. He then played for the Seattle Mariners from 2016-17 before being traded again to the Chicago Cubs in the middle of the 2017 season.
He then signed a free-agent contract with the Detroit Tigers before being traded again, this time to the Cleveland Guardians. He played during the 2019 season before being released that same year. He signed a $100,000 contract with the Seattle Mariners in 2023 but was shortly released.
Despite being 36, he brings a quality bat to the NPB team, evidenced by his 23 home runs and a 1.093 OPS in 58 games for the Conspiradores de Queretaro this season. His previous experience with Chiba Lotte from 2019-2022 further enhances his value to the club, inspiring us all with his determination.
Meanwhile, Andy Martin is much younger. He is only 23 years old and most recently played in the Colombian Winter League, batting .154 with a .522 OPS in 5 games. In 2022, he was great for the Brockton Rox, a part of the Futures Collegiate League, batting .326 with a .874 OPS in 42 games.
With their combined skills and experience, the Martin brothers are set to make a significant impact on the Chiba Lotte Marines. Currently second in the Pacific League, adding these two players could substantially improve the team’s standing.
Photo Credit: Leonys Martin #2 of the Cleveland Indians is congratulated in the dugout following his two run home run during. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
