Atlanta Braves favorite Martin Prado likely to retire
After some disappointing and injury-filled seasons, former Atlanta Braves utility man Martin Prado is considering calling it a career.
It was reported by Jon Heyman on Wednesday that former Atlanta Braves utility player Martin Prado will likely retire.
Prado has played in just 195 games over the last three seasons while dealing with several injuries.
Martin Prado has told friends he will likely retire. Very nice career, fine leader but last few years were injury plagued.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 6, 2019
Prado has spent 14 years in the big leagues after debuting with the Braves in the 2006 season.
He would go on to play seven seasons with the Braves hitting .295 in his time with Atlanta to go along with 52 home runs and a .780 OPS.
His best season came in 2010 with the Braves when he hit .307 with 15 home runs, 100 runs scored, 66 RBI, and an OPS of .809.
Prado was named an All-Star that season and finished ninth in the NL MVP voting.
The clubhouse leader would become one of the most beloved Braves players of all-time … and that is no exaggeration. To this day Braves fans still love Martin Prado.
But for whatever reason, the Braves traded Prado along with Randall Delgado, Zeke Spruill, Nick Ahmed, and Brandon Drury to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Justin Upton and Chris Johnson before the 2013 season.
I’ll never forget the day that happened as one of my good friends who absolutely adored Prado sent me a tirade of angry text messages.
While Justin Upton had his moments with the Braves and helped them win a division title in 2013, that’s a trade I’d like to have back.
Prado’s leadership was certainly missed once he was gone, and I still can’t believe they included him in that trade.
He went on to spend half a season with the New York Yankees before being traded to the Miami Marlins where he spent the last five years of his career.
In my heart he’ll always be a Brave, and if this is the end for Prado, I hope to see him around SunTrust Park a lot more often.
dark. Next. Don't re-sign Donaldson?
I have no doubt that Prado can be a great mentor and coach in the future if that’s what he plans to do. Again, I just hope that’s as part of the Atlanta organization.