1. Early Life and Background
Starling Marte was born on October 9, 1988, in the Dominican Republic, growing up on the outskirts of its capital, Santo Domingo. His early life was marked by hardship; his mother passed away when he was only nine years old. Following this tragedy, he was raised by his grandmother, who provided care and support until her passing in May 2022.
2. Professional Career
Starling Marte's professional baseball career began in 2007 when he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates, embarking on a journey through the minor leagues before making his significant Major League debut.
2.1. Minor Leagues
Marte joined the Pittsburgh Pirates organization in 2007 as an amateur free agent, primarily playing as a center fielder during his minor league tenure. In 2010, he played 60 games for the Pirates' Class A affiliate, the Bradenton Marauders, where he achieved a batting average of .315, along with 16 doubles, five triples, and 22 stolen bases.
His strong performance continued, earning him a spot representing the Pirates at the 2011 All-Star Futures Game. While playing for the Altoona Curve in 2011, Marte was recognized as an Eastern League Mid-Season All-Star and Post-Season All-Star. He was also named a Baseball America Double-A All-Star and a Topps Double-A All-Star, in addition to being selected as a Milb.com organization All-Star. On August 15, 2011, Marte was honored as the Eastern League's Player of the Week. He further solidified his reputation by winning the Eastern League Batting Title with a .332 batting average and was named the Eastern League Rookie of the Year. The Pirates added him to their 40-man roster on November 18, 2011.
Heading into the 2012 season, Marte was highly regarded among prospects, ranking number 73 on Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list in February 2012, and number 56 on Baseball Prospectus's Top 101 Prospect list during the same period. While playing for the Indianapolis Indians in 2012, Marte was selected as an International League Mid-Season All-Star. On July 2, 2012, he was named the International League Player of the Week.
2.2. Pittsburgh Pirates (2012-2019)
Starling Marte's Major League career began with the Pittsburgh Pirates, a team where he established himself as a prominent outfielder through his explosive debut, consistent performance, and notable defensive abilities, despite facing challenges such as a drug suspension.
2.2.1. Major League Debut and Early Career
On July 26, 2012, the Pirates promoted Marte from the Indianapolis Indians. This promotion was significant as Marte became the first player to reach the major leagues who had graduated from the Pirates' Latin American complex in the Dominican Republic. In his MLB debut against the Houston Astros, Marte made an immediate impact by hitting a home run on the very first pitch he faced, off pitcher Dallas Keuchel. This remarkable feat made him only the third player in Pirates' franchise history to homer in his first at-bat, and the first since Don Leppert in 1961. He also became the first Pirate to hit a home run on the first pitch of his major league career since Walter Mueller accomplished it in 1922.
In 2013, Marte solidified his position as the regular left fielder for the Pirates. On September 23, he hit a decisive home run in the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs, securing the team's first playoff berth in 21 years. That season, he played 135 games, recording a batting average of .280, 12 home runs, and 35 RBIs. His 10 triples ranked second in the National League, and his 41 stolen bases were third-highest in the league, though he also led the league with 15 times caught stealing. On March 28, 2014, Marte and the Pirates agreed to a 6-year contract worth 31.00 M USD, which included club options for 2020 at 11.50 M USD and 2021 at 12.50 M USD. On September 23, exactly one year after his playoff-clinching homer, he hit a decisive double in the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves, helping the Pirates secure a second consecutive playoff appearance. He also recorded 30 stolen bases for the second straight year, leading the team and ranking sixth in the league.
2.2.2. Key Performances and Awards
Marte continued his impressive performance in 2015, leading the team with 30 stolen bases for the third consecutive year, ranking fifth in the league. He also recorded 81 RBIs, second only to the team's slugger, Andrew McCutchen. Defensively, he led all outfielders in the league with 16 assists, earning his first career Rawlings Gold Glove Award and Fielding Bible Award.
In 2016, Marte maintained his strong form, leading to his selection for the 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. He entered the game as a pinch-hitter, recording a hit, and then played center field. That season, he played in 129 games, batting .311 (sixth in the league), with 9 home runs, 46 RBIs, and a career-high 47 stolen bases (third in the league). His defensive prowess remained evident, as he once again led all outfielders in the league with 17 assists. Following the season, he received his second consecutive Gold Glove Award and Fielding Bible Award.
In 2018, Marte batted .277 with 33 stolen bases. He and Jean Segura were the only two MLB players to have stolen 20 or more bases in every season since 2013. In 2019, while Marte set career highs offensively with 23 home runs and 82 RBIs, he recorded a -11 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) rating, which was the lowest among all major league center fielders that year.
2.2.3. Performance-Enhancing Drug Suspension
On April 18, 2017, Starling Marte was suspended for 80 games without pay due to the use of Nandrolone, a performance-enhancing drug that violated MLB's drug agreement. The suspension also rendered him ineligible to participate in postseason competition, although the Pirates ultimately failed to qualify that year. Marte issued a public statement after the suspension, apologizing to his family, fans, and the baseball community. He acknowledged that "Neglect and lack of knowledge have led me to this mistake with the high price to pay of being away from the field that I enjoy and love so much." He asked for forgiveness for unintentionally disrespecting those who trusted and supported him, promising to learn from the ordeal. Marte was activated and returned to play on July 18, 2017. In the 2017 season, he batted .275 with 21 stolen bases.
2.3. Arizona Diamondbacks (2020)
On January 27, 2020, the Pirates traded Marte and cash considerations to the Arizona Diamondbacks. In exchange, the Pirates received infielder Liover Peguero, pitcher Brennan Malone, and international bonus pool signing money. With the Diamondbacks, Marte wore jersey number 2, as his previous number 6 was already taken by David Peralta.
2.4. Miami Marlins (2020-2021)
On August 31, 2020, the Diamondbacks traded Marte to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Caleb Smith, Humberto Mejía, and Julio Frias (who was named as a player to be named later on September 19, 2020). Across his time with both the Diamondbacks and Marlins in the shortened 2020 season, Marte posted a slash line of .281/.340/.430 with 6 home runs, 27 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases in 61 games.
On April 20, 2021, Marte was placed on the injured list with a fractured rib. After a month of rehabilitation with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, he returned to the Marlins on May 28. Marte was named NL Player of the Week for the period of June 7 to 13, becoming the first Marlins player to receive this honor since 2017. During that week, he had an exceptional performance, batting .500 (14 for 28) with two home runs, one double, five RBIs, and a 1.298 OPS, while also stealing four bases without being caught. On July 18, Marte reportedly rejected a three-year, 30.00 M USD contract extension offer from the Marlins.
2.5. Oakland Athletics (2021)
On July 28, 2021, the Marlins traded Marte, along with cash considerations, to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for pitcher Jesús Luzardo. During his 56 games with Oakland in 2021, Marte batted .312/.355/.462 with 25 stolen bases. Combining his performances with both Miami and Oakland, Marte led all of MLB with 47 stolen bases in 2021. However, due to his mid-season trade between leagues, this total was considered a reference record, and he did not officially win the stolen base title. He became a free agent on November 3, 2021.
2.6. New York Mets (2022-present)
On November 30, 2021, Starling Marte signed a four-year contract with the New York Mets worth 78.00 M USD. In his first season with the Mets in 2022, Marte batted .292, stealing 18 bases but also being caught stealing nine times. In 2023, he played in 86 games, hitting .248 with 5 home runs and 28 RBIs, along with 24 stolen bases. His 2024 season saw him play 94 games, batting .269 with 7 home run and 40 RBIs, adding 16 stolen bases.
3. Awards and Honors
Starling Marte has earned several notable individual awards and honors throughout his professional career, primarily recognized for his exceptional defensive skills and speed.
- Gold Glove Award (Outfield): 2 times (2015, 2016)
- Fielding Bible Award: 2 times (2015, 2016)
- Major League Baseball All-Star Game Selection: 2 times (2016, 2022)
4. National Team Career
Starling Marte has represented the Dominican Republic national baseball team in international competitions. He was selected to play for the Dominican Republic in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, showcasing his talent on a global stage.
5. Personal Life
Starling Marte has three children: sons Starling Jr. and Smerling, and daughter Tiana, from his marriage to his late wife, Noelia Brazoban. In May 2020, Noelia tragically passed away from a heart attack while hospitalized awaiting surgery for a broken ankle.
In May 2022, Marte experienced another significant personal loss with the passing of his grandmother, who had raised him since his mother's death when he was nine years old. Upon his return to the Mets after being placed on the bereavement list, Marte hit a home run on the first pitch he faced from Colorado Rockies starter Germán Márquez. He dedicated this emotional hit to his "loved ones up in heaven."
In August 2023, Marte announced his engagement to Elianny Santana. The couple married in the Dominican Republic in December of the same year.
6. Statistics and Records
Starling Marte's career statistics reflect his consistent performance as a dynamic outfielder, combining offensive production with stellar defense and speed.
6.1. Annual Batting Statistics
| Year | Team | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | TB | RBI | SB | CS | SH | SF | BB | IBB | HBP | SO | GDP | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | PIT | 47 | 182 | 167 | 18 | 43 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 73 | 17 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 50 | 5 | .257 | .300 | .437 | .737 |
| 2013 | PIT | 135 | 566 | 510 | 83 | 143 | 26 | 10 | 12 | 225 | 35 | 41 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 25 | 2 | 24 | 138 | 6 | .280 | .343 | .441 | .784 |
| 2014 | PIT | 135 | 545 | 495 | 73 | 144 | 29 | 6 | 13 | 224 | 56 | 30 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 17 | 131 | 5 | .291 | .356 | .453 | .808 |
| 2015 | PIT | 153 | 633 | 579 | 84 | 166 | 30 | 2 | 19 | 257 | 81 | 30 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 27 | 3 | 19 | 123 | 14 | .287 | .337 | .444 | .780 |
| 2016 | PIT | 129 | 529 | 489 | 71 | 152 | 34 | 5 | 9 | 223 | 46 | 47 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 5 | 16 | 104 | 8 | .311 | .362 | .456 | .818 |
| 2017 | PIT | 77 | 339 | 309 | 48 | 85 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 117 | 31 | 21 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 20 | 0 | 8 | 63 | 5 | .275 | .333 | .379 | .712 |
| 2018 | PIT | 145 | 606 | 559 | 81 | 155 | 32 | 5 | 20 | 257 | 72 | 33 | 14 | 1 | 3 | 35 | 2 | 8 | 109 | 11 | .277 | .327 | .460 | .787 |
| 2019 | PIT | 132 | 586 | 539 | 97 | 159 | 31 | 6 | 23 | 271 | 82 | 25 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 25 | 1 | 16 | 94 | 15 | .295 | .342 | .503 | .845 |
| 2020 | ARI | 33 | 138 | 122 | 23 | 38 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 54 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 19 | 3 | .311 | .384 | .443 | .827 |
| 2020 | MIA | 28 | 112 | 106 | 13 | 26 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 44 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 22 | 2 | .245 | .286 | .415 | .701 |
| 2020 Totals | 61 | 250 | 228 | 36 | 64 | 14 | 1 | 6 | 98 | 27 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 41 | 5 | .281 | .340 | .430 | .770 | |
| 2021 | MIA | 64 | 275 | 233 | 52 | 71 | 11 | 1 | 7 | 105 | 25 | 22 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 32 | 2 | 8 | 57 | 2 | .305 | .405 | .451 | .856 |
| 2021 | OAK | 56 | 251 | 234 | 37 | 74 | 16 | 2 | 5 | 109 | 30 | 25 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 42 | 4 | .316 | .359 | .466 | .824 |
| 2021 Totals | 120 | 526 | 467 | 89 | 145 | 27 | 3 | 12 | 214 | 55 | 47 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 43 | 2 | 13 | 99 | 6 | .310 | .383 | .458 | .841 | |
| 2022 | NYM | 118 | 505 | 466 | 76 | 136 | 24 | 5 | 16 | 218 | 63 | 18 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 13 | 97 | 18 | .292 | .347 | .468 | .814 |
| 2023 | NYM | 86 | 341 | 315 | 38 | 78 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 102 | 28 | 24 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 8 | 69 | 8 | .248 | .301 | .324 | .625 |
| 2024 | NYM | 94 | 370 | 335 | 46 | 90 | 13 | 3 | 7 | 130 | 40 | 16 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 27 | 1 | 3 | 81 | 8 | .269 | .327 | .388 | .715 |
| MLB Total (13 years) | 1432 | 5978 | 5458 | 840 | 1560 | 277 | 55 | 154 | 2409 | 633 | 354 | 98 | 21 | 22 | 320 | 18 | 157 | 1199 | 114 | .286 | .342 | .441 | .783 | |
- All bolded values indicate a league high.
- Statistics accurate as of the end of the 2024 season.
6.2. Annual Fielding Statistics
| Year | Team | Left Field (LF) | Center Field (CF) | Right Field (RF) | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | PO | A | E | DP | FPct | G | PO | A | E | DP | FPct | G | PO | A | E | DP | FPct | ||
| 2012 | PIT | 43 | 63 | 3 | 3 | 0 | .957 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | - | |||||
| 2013 | PIT | 124 | 176 | 5 | 6 | 0 | .968 | 13 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .947 | - | |||||
| 2014 | PIT | 114 | 151 | 4 | 5 | 0 | .969 | 28 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .964 | - | |||||
| 2015 | PIT | 141 | 180 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0.995 | 18 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .963 | - | |||||
| 2016 | PIT | 114 | 168 | 17 | 4 | 2 | .979 | 16 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | - | |||||
| 2017 | PIT | 56 | 100 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 25 | 57 | 2 | 1 | 0 | .983 | - | |||||
| 2018 | PIT | - | 139 | 338 | 11 | 3 | 3 | .991 | - | ||||||||||
| 2019 | PIT | - | 130 | 297 | 8 | 5 | 2 | .984 | - | ||||||||||
| 2020 | ARI | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 33 | 70 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | - | |||||
| 2020 | MIA | - | 28 | 52 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .981 | - | ||||||||||
| 2020 Totals | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 61 | 122 | 3 | 1 | 0 | .992 | - | ||||||
| 2021 | MIA | - | 63 | 133 | 6 | 2 | 3 | .986 | - | ||||||||||
| 2021 | OAK | - | 56 | 147 | 2 | 1 | 0 | .993 | - | ||||||||||
| 2021 Totals | - | 119 | 280 | 8 | 3 | 3 | .990 | - | |||||||||||
| 2022 | NYM | - | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | --- | 116 | 209 | 9 | 1 | 1 | .995 | |||||
| 2023 | NYM | - | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 84 | 153 | 7 | 1 | 1 | .994 | |||||
| 2024 | NYM | - | - | 85 | 138 | 6 | 2 | 2 | .986 | ||||||||||
| MLB Total | 593 | 839 | 50 | 19 | 2 | .979 | 556 | 1196 | 33 | 16 | 9 | .987 | 285 | 500 | 22 | 4 | 4 | .992 | |
- All bolded values indicate a league high.
- Bolded years indicate Gold Glove Award winner.
- Statistics accurate as of the end of the 2024 season.
7. Jersey Numbers
Starling Marte has worn the following jersey numbers throughout his Major League Baseball career:
- 6 (2012-2019, mid-2020-mid-2021, 2022-present)
- 2 (2020-mid-2020, mid-2021-end of 2021)
8. See Also
- List of Major League Baseball players with a home run in their first major league at bat
- List of Major League Baseball players suspended for performance-enhancing drugs