Manuel Arturo Machado (Spanish: [maˈtʃaðo]; born July 6, 1992) is an American professional baseball third baseman and shortstop for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). Highly recruited from an early age, he was raised in Miami, where he attended Brito High School and was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles with the third overall pick in the 2010 MLB draft. He bats and throws right-handed. Born in the United States, he represents the Dominican Republic internationally.
Machado made his MLB debut with Baltimore in August 2012. He had his breakout year in 2013, earning a spot on the American League (AL) All-Star team on his way to leading the league in doubles with 51. He was also recognized as one of the best fielders in the game, winning a Gold Glove Award. His defensive prowess has earned him frequent comparisons to former Orioles third baseman and Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson. In 2018, an impending free agent, Machado was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers and helped the team reach the World Series. That offseason, Machado signed a 10-year, $300 million contract with the Padres, the richest contract in the history of North American sports at the time. Since 2013, Machado has made the All-Star Game seven times, the All-MLB First Team two times, won two Gold Gloves, and three Silver Slugger Awards. He is the Padres' all-time home run leader.
Machado was born and raised in Miami, Florida. He was raised by his mother, Rosa Machado, his grandfather, Francisco Nunez, and his uncle, Geovanny Brito. He is of Dominican heritage. Machado grew up in Hialeah alongside future MLB center fielder Albert Almora, and while they are not related by blood they consider each other to be cousins.
Machado attended Brito Miami Private School and committed to attend Florida International University. He grew up a fan of the Florida Marlins.
The Baltimore Orioles selected Machado in the first round, with the third overall selection, in the 2010 MLB draft. He was the second high school player drafted, as well as the second position player. He signed a $5.25 million contract, just minutes before the deadline on August 16, 2010. While his agent Scott Boras was negotiating his contract, Machado spent the summer of 2010 playing for USA Baseball's 18-and-under national team. Machado was introduced to the Orioles in mid-September when the Orioles hosted the New York Yankees.
On August 22, Machado reported to the Orioles minor league complex to join the Gulf Coast League Orioles. Machado made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast League Orioles on August 27, 2010, where he went 0-for-3 with a strikeout. He played as the designated hitter. Machado hit his first professional home run in his second game with the Orioles. Machado made his debut with the Low-A Aberdeen IronBirds of the New York–Penn League on August 30, 2010, where he went 1-for-3 with a single. He played shortstop, instead of being the DH, as he did with the Orioles, and he was pulled after the fifth inning. Machado began the 2011 season with the Delmarva Shorebirds, playing shortstop. He hit five home runs before May 1, and was named the South Atlantic League player of the week for April 25 – May 1. After missing several weeks with a knee injury, he returned to play 10 more games and appear in the SAL All-Star Game on June 21, 2011. After the game, he was promoted to the High-A Frederick Keys. He was named to appear in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game.
The Orioles promoted Machado to MLB from the Double-A Bowie Baysox on August 9, against the Kansas City Royals. He started at third base, as the team already had J. J. Hardy at shortstop. The following day, against the same opponent, he hit his first and second career home runs, making him the youngest Oriole and 12th youngest player in major league history to have a multi-homer game. The two home runs were both off former number-one overall draft choice Luke Hochevar. He then hit his third career home run on August 12 off Bruce Chen. In Game 3 of the 2012 ALDS, Machado hit his first career postseason home run. The Orioles lost the division series to the New York Yankees in five games.
Machado finished his rookie season having played in all 51 of the remaining Oriole games. In 202 plate appearances, he hit .262 with eight doubles, three triples, 7 home runs, 26 RBI, and two steals in as many attempts. He collected 50 hits and scored 24 runs.
Machado had three hits on May 27, giving him 40 multi-hit games in his career, tying Ty Cobb for the major league record for the most multi-hit games before age 21 in history; on May 30, he went 2-for-3 to break Cobb's record. Machado's 44 hits in May 2013 were the second-most in a month by a player under 21 behind Mickey Mantle's 46 in July 1952. At the end of May, Machado led the major leagues with 25 doubles and was tied for the MLB lead in hits (79) with reigning AL MVP Miguel Cabrera. Exactly halfway through the season, Machado got his 37th double, putting him on pace to break the single-season record (67) in his first full season.
On June 27, 2013, Machado argued a correctly ruled strike-three call, leading to his first career MLB ejection. Coincidentally, this was also the first career MLB ejection for the umpire who threw him out, Will Little.
An All-Star, he slashed .310/.337/.470 with 7 home runs, 45 RBI, and 39 doubles in the first half.
Machado suffered a left knee injury when reaching first base after a hit on September 23, 2013. Machado received immediate medical attention and left the game on a stretcher. The injury also ended his consecutive games played streak at 207. Machado was ruled out for the rest of the 2013 season. He finished the year hitting .283/.314/.432 with 14 home runs, 71 RBI, and 51 doubles. He led the American League in doubles, at-bats (667) and fielding percentage at third base (.973).
On October 10, Machado opted to have reconstructive surgery performed on his knee to reduce the chance of future dislocations. The surgery would sideline him for 4–6 months, but he was still expected to return sometime around Opening Day.
On October 29, Machado won the Gold Glove Award at third base, the first by an Oriole third baseman since Brooks Robinson's 16-year run from 1960 to 1975. On November 8 of the same year, Machado won the AL Platinum Glove Award.
On April 29, 2014, he was removed from the disabled list after knee surgery recovery and on May 1, he was greeted by a standing ovation from the hometown Baltimore fans prior to the first game of a doubleheader sweep against the Pittsburgh Pirates. On June 1, 2014, Machado hit his 1st career grand slam in a 9–4 Orioles victory over the Houston Astros.
On June 6, 2014, Machado was running to third base on a ground ball when he was tagged by Oakland Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson. This incident led to a bench-clearing brawl. On June 8, 2014, Machado struck Athletics catcher Derek Norris with his bat during the follow-through of his swing. Norris was taken out of the game as a result. In the 8th inning, Machado threw his bat in the direction of third base in response to two consecutive inside pitches thrown by Oakland reliever Fernando Abad. The umpires determined that the bat was meant for Abad, and both Abad and Machado were ejected from the game. The next day, Machado issued a formal apology to his teammates and Oakland. On June 10, Machado was fined and suspended five games for his actions. After losing an appeal, Machado began serving his suspension on June 30.
On August 11, Machado injured his right knee while batting in a home game against the New York Yankees. Although originally describing it as a sprain, ten days later the Orioles announced that the injury required surgery and that Machado was out for the season.
Machado started the 2015 season healthy. By June 18, he had already tied his career high for home runs, which was 14 in 2013. He was named to the American League roster for the 2015 MLB All-Star Game and was selected as a participant for the 2015 Home Run Derby. Machado hit two home runs and stole two bases against the Toronto Blue Jays on October 1, becoming only the 16th player—and first Oriole—to have a multi-homer, multi-steal game since 1901. He became the seventh Oriole to have 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season.