Edgar Martinez is enjoying a standout season for the Miami Dade College baseball team.
The charismatic freshman utility player boasts a .411 batting average with three home runs, 24 RBI, 19 runs scored and a .616 slugging percentage.
The Sharks played against St. Petersburg College on Feb. 17. Martinez had a breakout game, going 3 for 4 with a walk off home run in the bottom of the 8th inning to seal the victory.
His flexibility on the defensive end has also come in handy for the Sharks.
“He’s a guy that can play anywhere; he can play third, he can play short; he can play second” said Adrian Morales, an assistant coach for the Sharks.
Martinez grew up in the Dominican Republic where he started playing baseball as a young child because his entire family, including his dad, loved the game. He arrived in Miami six months ago to to pursue a degree in English at MDC and play baseball at the college level.
The transition was made easier for Martinez thanks to the team’s diversity.
“Since the team is multicultural, it hasn’t been such a hard transition,” Martinez said.
His teammates say Martinez’s good-natured ways make him a joy to be around.
“He keeps everyone loose during practice and in the games,” said infielder Bruce Martin. “He’s a great guy to be around. You never know what he’s going to do.”
Martinez spends much of his free time with his teammates watching sporting events like the World Baseball Classic, going to the gym, or the beach.
He aspires to one day become a Major League Baseball player but is also concerned about his education.
“I want to play professionally, if not, I’d like to continue [at] a good four-year institution,” Martinez said.
The Sharks are currently 23-10 this season and 12-4 in Southern Conference play. The team’s next game is April 4 at the baseball field at Kendall Campus, 11011 S.W. 104th St., versus ASA College at 3 p.m.
