Kevin Maitán Explained

Kevin Maitán
Team:Minnesota Twins
Position:Shortstop
Birth Date:12 February 2000
Bats:Switch
Throws:Right
Debutleague:MLB
Statleague:MLB

Kevin Francisco Maitán Hernández (born February 12, 2000) is a Venezuelan professional baseball shortstop in the Minnesota Twins organization.

Professional career

Atlanta Braves

Maitán was considered the top international prospect for the 2016 class.[1] [2] Though a natural shortstop, Maitán has most often been projected as a third baseman in professional baseball.[3] [4] He has been called the best international free agent since Miguel Sanó in 2009 and has been compared to Miguel Cabrera and Chipper Jones.[5] He signed with the Atlanta Braves on July 2,[6] [7] receiving a $4.25 million signing bonus.[8] Maitán arrived in the United States in September to begin his professional career at the instructional league.[9] He made his debut with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Braves on July 3, 2017,[10] and after batting .314 with a .751 OPS in nine games, he was promoted to the Rookie Advanced Danville Braves, where he finished 2017, posting a .220 average with two home runs and 15 RBIs.[11]

On October 2, 2017, Braves general manager John Coppolella and international scouting director Gordon Blakely resigned after an MLB investigation into their activities discovered several rules violations regarding international signings.[12] On November 21, MLB ordered that Maitan and several other players were released from their contracts and declared to be free agents.[13]

Los Angeles Angels

Maitán signed with the Los Angeles Angels, receiving a $2.2 million signing bonus.[14] He played for the Orem Owlz of the Advanced Rookie-level Pioneer League in 2018.[15] In 2019, he was promoted to the Single-A Burlington Bees. He played 123 games and finished with a slash line of .214/.278/.323.[16] Maitán did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[17]

In 2021, Maitán split the year between the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Angels and the High-A Tri-City Dust Devils. In 37 games, he batted a cumulative .212/.261/.258 with one home run and 13 RBI.[18] Maitán spent the 2022 season with the Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas, playing in 114 games and hitting .261/.338/.399 with 11 home runs and 45 RBI (both one under his career-highs).[19] In 2023, he played in 53 games for Rocket City, struggling to a .192/.300/.256 batting line with 1 home run and 15 RBI. On June 19, 2023, Maitán was released by the Angels organization.[20]

Lake Country DockHounds

On July 21, 2023, Maitán signed with the Lake Country DockHounds of the American Association of Professional Baseball.[21] In 9 games, he went 4–for–33 (.121) with 3 RBI and 3 walks. On August 2, Maitán was released by the team.[22]

Charleston Dirty Birds

On April 24, 2024, Maitán signed with the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[23] In 14 games for the Dirty Birds, Maitán hit .333/.410/.611 with three home runs and 14 RBI.

Minnesota Twins

On May 13, 2024, Maitán's contract was purchased by the Minnesota Twins organization.[24]

Notes and References

  1. News: Badler. Ben. Kevin Maitan Is Venezuela's Next Great Prospect. September 27, 2016. Baseball America. June 28, 2016.
  2. News: McDaniel. Kiley. The Next Elite July 2nd Prospect Is 14-Years-Old. September 27, 2016. Fangraphs. September 30, 2014.
  3. News: Law. Keith. Crawford. Christopher. Keith Law (baseball writer). Profiling the top international prospects and where they're likely to sign. September 27, 2016. ESPN.com. July 1, 2016.
  4. News: Shortstop Kevin Maitan tops Braves' international signings. September 27, 2016. Associated Press. ESPN.com. July 2, 2016.
  5. News: O'Brien. David. Braves free-agent target Maitan compared to Chipper. September 27, 2016. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. February 8, 2016.
  6. News: Sanchez. Jesse. Top-ranked Maitan headlines Braves' international haul. September 27, 2016. MLB.com. July 2, 2016.
  7. News: O'Brien. David. Braves sign bevy of international prospects led by No. 1-rated Maitan. September 27, 2016. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. July 2, 2016.
  8. Web site: foxsports . Braves sign top international prospect Kevin Maitan for $4.25 million . FOX Sports . July 2, 2016 . June 21, 2018.
  9. News: Mayo. Jonathan. Trio from vaunted Rome rotation, Maitan headline Braves' instructs. September 27, 2016. MLB.com. September 26, 2016.
  10. News: Rosenbaum. Mike. Monday's best: Whitley fires five no-hit frames. July 5, 2017. MLB.com. July 5, 2017.
  11. Web site: Kevin Maitan Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball. November 18, 2017.
  12. Web site: Braves GM John Coppolella quits suddenly amid MLB investigation. Oz. Mike. yahoo.com. October 2, 2017. November 21, 2017.
  13. Web site: Braves penalized for int'l signing violations. mlb.com. November 21, 2017. November 21, 2017.
  14. Web site: Guardado . Maria . Angels agree with Kevin Maitan, Livan Soto . MLB.com . May 24, 2018 . June 21, 2018.
  15. Web site: Maitan flying high in early going for Owlz . MiLB.com . June 21, 2018.
  16. Web site: Kevin Maitan Statistics and History . Baseball-Reference . July 17, 2020.
  17. Web site: 2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled. 2023-05-14. mlb.com. en.
  18. Web site: Atlanta Braves: Where are Kevin Maitan and Abrahan Gutierrez now?. 2023-05-28. housethathankbuilt.com. en.
  19. Web site: Kevin Maitan Stats & Scouting Report. 2023-05-28. baseballamerica.com. en.
  20. 1670947067362152448. June 19, 2023. trashpandas. As part of today's roster moves, the Angels announced the release of Aaron Whitefield, Ryan Aguilar, and Kevin Maitan. We thank them for their contributions to the Trash Pandas and the Rocket City community these past two seasons, and we wish them well on their next endeavors..
  21. Web site: 2023 Transactions. July 21, 2023. aabaseball.com. en.
  22. Web site: 2023 Transactions. August 3, 2023. aabaseball.com. en.
  23. Web site: Charleston Dirty Birds Set Opening Day Roster. April 25, 2024. oursportscentral.com. en.
  24. Web site: Transactions. May 11, 2024. baseball.pointstreak.com. en.