#28​

​

Full Name:
 

Julio Daniel Martinez

​

Nicknames:

​

"Flaco", "J.D.", "J.D. Kong" (by his agent Scott Boras)

​

Born:  
 

August 21, 1987

Miami, Florida

​

Family:  

​

Father: Julio Martinez
Mother: Mayra Martinez

​

Friends:  

​

Mike Fiers: played with Martinez in college at Nova Southeastern University and remains a close friend.
 

Works out with Hanley Ramirez and Eduardo Rodriguez. They work out together in Miami during the offseason.

​

Agent: Scott Boras (ex-agent: Bob Garber)

 

School:  

​

Flanagan High School, Pembroke Pines, Florida
Mascot: Falcons
Coach: Ray Evans
Full roster

​

Competed against the Eric Hosmer and Alex Avila in high school.

​

Nova Southeastern University,
Nova Southeastern Sharks
Mascot: Razor the Shark
Coach: Mike Mominey
Teammate: Michael Fiers

​

Greg Brown was a scout who convinced the Astros to draft him. He took over as coach at Nova Southeastern university after Martinez left.

​

Baseball Related:

​

2006 - Drafted by the Minnesota Twins (36th round, 1,086th overall) but he did not sign.

 

2009 - Drafted by the Houston Astros (611th overall).

​

2011 - July 30th - Major League debut with the Houston Astros.

​

2014 - Released by the Houston Astros.

​

2014 - Sign with the Detroit Tigers (minor league contract).

​

2016 - Signed a 2-year contract with the Tigers ($18.5 million).

​

2017 - Traded from the Tigers to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Dawel Lugo, Sergio Alcántara, and Jose King.
 

Extra:

​

2014 - Played for the Leones del Caracas in the Venezuelan Winter League.

He is a Walking Dead fan.

​

Note: Al Avila is the General Manager of the Detroit Tigers.

Martinez played for Al Avila's brother, Ralph, in Little League. He then played in college with Alan Avila, Al's son, (brother of Alex Avila). Martinez's high school, was right behind Al Avila's house. When he was released by the Astros in 2014, Al Avila signed him to the Tigers.

 

Sample Heckles:

​

"You sold your soul. Poor Bob Garber. And of all agents, Scott Boras!"

​

Heckle him on twitter:

​

@JDMartinez14

​