Marcell Ozuna

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Ozuna and the second or maternal family name is Idelfonso.
Marcell Ozuna
Ozuna with the Atlanta Braves in 2021
Atlanta Braves – No. 20
Designated hitter / Outfielder
Born: (1990-11-12) November 12, 1990 (age 33)
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 30, 2013, for the Miami Marlins
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Batting average.272
Hits1,514
Home runs275
Runs batted in880
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Marcell Ozuna Idelfonso (born November 12, 1990), nicknamed "the Big Bear",[1][2] is a Dominican professional baseball designated hitter and outfielder for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals. He made his MLB debut in 2013 with the Marlins.

Ozuna was signed by the Marlins as an amateur free agent in 2008. He is a three-time MLB All-Star (2016, 2017, 2024) and won both a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger Award in 2017, his breakout season. That year, he finished fourth in the National League (NL) in batting average (.312), and third in home runs (37) and runs batted in (124). Following the 2017 season, the Marlins traded Ozuna to the St. Louis Cardinals. In 2020 he led the NL in both home runs and RBIs.

Early life and family

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Marcell Ozuna Idelfonso was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.[3] His father is a former painter, and his mother is a housekeeper. He has one brother and two sisters.[4] He is the cousin of former MLB player Pablo Ozuna.[5][6]

Professional career

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Minor leagues

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On February 15, 2008, the Florida Marlins signed Ozuna as an international free agent with a $49,000 bonus.[7] He played for the Dominican Summer League (DSL) Marlins that year, where in 63 games, he hit .279 with six home runs and 43 runs batted in (RBIs) and eight stolen bases.[3] In 2009, he played for the GCL Marlins, where in 55 games, he hit .313 with five home runs and 39 RBIs.[3]

Ozuna began 2010 with the Greensboro Grasshoppers of the Class A South Atlantic League, but was sidelined after six appearances with an injured wrist. He returned in June with Short Season Jamestown, where he finished the season.[5] In 74 total games, he hit .258 with 22 home runs and 62 RBIs. Ozuna spent 2011 with Greensboro, where he hit .266 with 23 home runs, 71 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases over 131 games.[3]

Ozuna with the Jupiter Hammerheads in 2012

Ozuna was promoted to Jupiter Hammerheads of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League for the 2012 season, where in 129 games, he hit .266 with 24 home runs and 95 RBIs.[3] That year, he led the Florida State League in home runs, RBIs, runs scored, and total bases. Ozuna was added to the Marlins' 40-man roster on November 20, 2012.[8] Baseball America rated Ozuna the 75th-best prospect in baseball prior to the 2013 season.[9]

Ozuna opened 2013 with Jupiter, but after four games, he was promoted to the Jacksonville Suns of the Class AA Southern League.[3] Ozuna was named the league's player of the week on April 29, 2013.[10] That same day, the Marlins promoted Ozuna to the major leagues following an injury to Giancarlo Stanton.[9][11]

Miami Marlins (2013–2017)

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On April 30, 2013, Ozuna made his major league debut, and recorded his first career hit, a single off Jeremy Hefner of the New York Mets. He hit his first career home run (as well as his first RBI and run scored), a solo home run, off Cole Hamels of the Philadelphia Phillies, in his fifth game. Ozuna was used as the starting right fielder in Stanton's absence. When Stanton returned, Ozuna became the starting center fielder. On July 22, Ozuna was optioned back to Jacksonville.[12] Instead of joining Jacksonville, Ozuna was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a ligament tear and avulsion fracture in his left thumb, which he injured while making a diving catch.[13] On July 26, 2013, he underwent season-ending thumb surgery.[14]

In 2014, Ozuna played a total of 153 games for the Marlins, batting .269 with 23 home runs and 85 RBIs.[3] On September 11, 2014, he tied a franchise record with home runs in four consecutive games.[15]

On July 5, 2015, Ozuna was sent down to AAA after going hitless in nine of ten games, dipping his average to .249 on the season.[16] After playing 33 games and batting .333 with five home runs and 11 RBIs, he returned to the Marlins to complete the 2015 season, batting .278 with six home runs and 18 RBI.[17]

Ozuna with the Miami Marlins in 2016.

During the off-season, the Marlins received several offers for him from other teams, but he was back on the roster for the 2016 season and inserted in the number-two spot in the lineup.[17]

In 2017, Ozuna was named NL Player of the Week for the week of April 10–16 after batting .435 with four home runs, 12 RBIs, and a 1.481 OPS.[18]

Ozuna was named a starter for the NL in the 2017 MLB All-Star Game. Of the NL All-Star selections, he was one of eight to hit at least 35 home runs, but Ozuna was one of just four to walk at a rate of at least nine percent while striking out less than 22 percent. He established career highs in numerous categories, including batting .312 with 37 home runs and 124 RBI.[7] He was named the NL Player of the Week along with teammate Giancarlo Stanton once again for the week of September 18–24 after batting .500 (10–20) with three home runs, seven RBIs, and six runs scored.

St. Louis Cardinals (2018–2019)

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Ozuna with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2018

On December 14, 2017, the Marlins traded Ozuna to the St. Louis Cardinals for Sandy Alcántara, Magneuris Sierra, Zac Gallen, and Daniel Castano.[19] On January 12, 2018, it was announced that the Cardinals and Ozuna reached agreement on a one-year, $9 million contract.[20] Prior to the 2018 season, Mike Petriello of MLB.com rated Ozuna the best left fielder in the major leagues, opining him as "a strong fielder," and averaging the 12th-highest exit velocity [91 miles per hour (146 km/h)] over the prior three seasons of all hitters with at least 1,000 plate appearances.[21]

On June 2, 2018, Ozuna hit his 100th career home run, off Chad Kuhl, in a 3–2 victory versus the Pittsburgh Pirates, and first home run at Busch Stadium as a member of the Cardinals.[22] The following day, he hit a grand slam in a 5–0 win versus the Pirates.[23]

Ozuna was named NL Player of the Week for the week of June 11–17, hitting .455/.478/1.000 (10-for-22, 1.478 OPS), with four home runs and eight RBIs in six games. This was his third Player of the Week award after winning it twice with the Miami Marlins during the 2017 season, in mid-April and early September.[24] On July 30, 2018, at Busch Stadium versus the Colorado Rockies, Ozuna hit his first walk-off home run, a solo shot in the 10th inning, helping St. Louis defeat the Rockies 5–4.[25] Ozuna finished his first season in St. Louis batting .280 with 23 home runs and 88 RBIs in 148 games.[26]

Ozuna was placed on the injured list on June 29, 2019, with a finger fracture, and was activated on August 3.[27] Over 130 regular season games and 485 at bats, Ozuna slashed .243/.330/.804 with 29 home runs and 89 RBIs.[28]

With the Cardinals reaching the 2019 National League Division Series, Ozuna played in his first career postseason series. In the five games against the Atlanta Braves, Ozuna hit .429 with nine hits and five RBI.

Atlanta Braves (2020–present)

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On January 21, 2020, Ozuna signed a one-year contract worth $18 million with the Atlanta Braves.[29]

On July 24, Ozuna was the starting left fielder, making his Braves debut on Opening Day.[30] On September 1, he became the first National League player to hit three home runs in one game at Fenway Park, and also reached 1,000 MLB career hits.[31] When Adam Duvall hit three home runs in the next game, also against the Boston Red Sox, Ozuna and Duvall became the first teammates in Major League Baseball history to have hit three home runs each in consecutive games.[32]

In 2020, Ozuna batted .338/.431/.636 (each third in the NL) with an NL-leading 18 home runs, 56 RBIs, and 145 total bases during the shortened 60-game season.[28] Ozuna won his second Silver Slugger Award after the 2020 season; it was the first-ever Silver Slugger for designated hitter in the National League as a result of the universal DH rule implemented league-wide during the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

On February 5, 2021, Ozuna re-signed with the Braves with a four-year, $64 million deal.[33] On September 9, Ozuna was put on administrative leave due to domestic violence against his wife.[34][35] He did not play for the remainder of the season.[36][37] The Braves finished with an 88–73 record, clinching the NL East, and eventually won the 2021 World Series, their first title since 1995.[38]

In the 2022 season, he played 124 games and hit 23 home runs while striking out 122 times to bat .226/.274/.413 in 470 at bats.[28] Ozuna hit two home runs in the 2023 regular-season finale to finish with a career-high 40 home runs.[39] Ozuna's two October 1 homers also helped the 2023 Atlanta Braves tie the 2019 Minnesota Twins for most home runs hit in a season.[40]

Personal life

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Ozuna is married to Genesis Guzman. As of May 2017, the couple have three children.[41]

At 4 a.m. on August 19, 2022, Ozuna was arrested again and charged with driving under the influence after Norcross Police noticed his inability to stay in his lane. Ozuna was taken into custody on Beaver Ruin Road and booked into the Gwinnett County jail shortly after 4:30 a.m., a Norcross police spokesman told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. According to an incident report, Ozuna told the arresting officer who pulled him over that he had drunk “three or four” beers earlier in the night. Ozuna was placed under arrest when he refused a breath test.[42]

Domestic abuse incidents

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On May 29, 2021, Ozuna was arrested and charged with aggravated assault by strangulation and battery after Sandy Springs Police claimed to witness him grabbing his wife by the neck and throwing her against a wall.[43][44] The charges were later withdrawn after completion of a diversion program. This resulted in Ozuna receiving a 20-game suspension which he served retroactively during the 2021 season.[45]

This followed another incident that occurred almost a year prior when Guzman was arrested on her own domestic battery charge against her husband, hitting him with a soap dish which caused a small laceration on his face.[46]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Goold, Derrick (August 7, 2019). "Cards notebook: Fernandez and friends celebrate his call-up with screams and tears". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  2. ^ Hummel, Rick (August 3, 2019). "Ozuna's return bolsters middle of Cardinals lineup". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Marcell Ozuna, OF, Marlins". Baseball America. 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  4. ^ Capozzi, Joe (May 6, 2013). "Rookie Marcell Ozuna could shake up Miami Marlins' outfield if he maintains success". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Sickels, John (May 1, 2013). "Prospect of the Day: Marcell Ozuna, OF, Miami Marlins". Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  6. ^ Weisberger, Jed (September 6, 2010). "New York-Penn League playoff preview". Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  7. ^ a b Goold, Derrick (December 16, 2017). "Ozuna and Fowler consider Barry Bonds their mentor". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  8. ^ Frisaro, Joe (November 20, 2012). "Marlins add Marcell Ozuna, three others to 40-man roster". m.Marlins.MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 29, 2012. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  9. ^ a b Gleeman, Aaron (April 30, 2013). "Marlins place Giancarlo Stanton on DL, call up prospect Marcell Ozuna". NBC HardballTalk. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  10. ^ Elliott, Jeff (April 30, 2013). "Suns' Marcell Ozuna promoted to Marlins". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  11. ^ Frisaro, Joe (April 29, 2013). "Giancarlo Stanton to disabled list after straining right hamstring in 10th". m.Marlins.MLB.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  12. ^ Jong, Michael (July 23, 2013). "Miami Marlins news: Marlins promote prospect outfielders Christian Yelich, Jake Marisnick". Fish Stripes.
  13. ^ Rodriguez, Juan C. (July 25, 2013). "Torn thumb ligament likely shelves Ozuna for season". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  14. ^ Frisaro, Joe (July 26, 2013). "Ozuna has surgery; winter ball might be next". MLB.com. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  15. ^ "Miami Marlins: Marcell Ozuna stays hot, extends hitting streak to nine". ESPN. September 12, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  16. ^ "Marlins option Marcell Ozuna to Triple-A". HardballTalk. July 5, 2015. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  17. ^ a b Fernandez, Andre C. (March 12, 2016). "Marcell Ozuna plans to make most of 'new opportunity' with Miami Marlins". The Miami Herald. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  18. ^ "Marcell Ozuna named National League Player of the Week, giving Miami Marlins two recipients in two weeks | Miami Herald". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on April 30, 2017.
  19. ^ Frisaro, Joe (December 14, 2017). "Trade finalized: Ozuna dealt for STL prospects". MLB.com. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  20. ^ "Marcell Ozuna agrees with Cardinals to avoid arbitration". ESPN. Associated Press. January 12, 2018. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  21. ^ Petriello, Mike (January 27, 2018). "Ozuna leads Top 10 left fielders into 2018". MLB.com. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  22. ^ Trezza, Joe (June 2, 2018). "Ozuna launches 100th career home run". MLB.com. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  23. ^ Baugh, Peter (June 3, 2018). "Cards Wacha outstanding in 5–0 win over the Pirates Sunday at Busch Stadium". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  24. ^ "Ozuna, Gattis power up as Players of the Week". MLB.com. June 18, 2018.
  25. ^ "Newsday | Long Island's & NYC's News Source | Newsday".
  26. ^ Schaeffer, Brenden. "St. Louis Cardinals 2018 player grades: Outfielders". KMOV.com.
  27. ^ "Cardinals activate OF Marcell Ozuna from injured list". USA TODAY.
  28. ^ a b c "Marcell Ozuna Stats". Baseball-Reference.com.
  29. ^ Bowman, Mark (January 21, 2020). "Marcell Ozuna signs 1-year deal with Braves". MLB.com. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  30. ^ "Céspedes homers as DH in return, Mets edge Braves 1-0". ESPN. Associated Press. July 24, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  31. ^ Mark Bowman (September 2, 2020). "Ozuna 1st NL player to hit 3 HRs at Fenway". MLB.com. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  32. ^ Bowman, Mark (September 2, 2020). "Braves make 3-homer game history". MLB.com. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  33. ^ Randhawa, Manny (February 5, 2021). "Ozuna signs 4-year deal to return to Braves". mlb.com. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  34. ^ Burns, Gabriel (September 10, 2021). "Braves' Marcell Ozuna placed on administrative leave". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  35. ^ O'Brien, David (September 10, 2021). "Braves' Marcell Ozuna placed on 7-day administrative leave". The Athletic. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  36. ^ Doolittle, Bradford (September 18, 2021). "Atlanta Braves' Marcell Ozuna has MLB administrative leave extended through Friday, source says". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  37. ^ "Braves' Marcell Ozuna has administrative leave extended through postseason". The Athletic. September 28, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  38. ^ Castrovince, Anthony (November 3, 2021). "Atlanta Braves win 2021 World Series". MLB.com. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  39. ^ "Braves tie season record with 307 homers, going deep 3 times in 10-9 loss to Nationals". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 1, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  40. ^ Bowman, Mark (October 1, 2023). "Braves tie mark for team homers, finish with record .501 SLG". MLB.com. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  41. ^ John, Caroline (May 4, 2017). "Genesis Guzman: 3 Facts to Know about Marcell Ozuna's Wife". earnthenecklace.com. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  42. ^ Toscano, Justin; Hollis, Henri (August 19, 2022). "Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna expresses disappointment after DUI arrest". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  43. ^ Lev, Jacob (May 30, 2021). "Atlanta Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna arrested on domestic violence charges, police say". CNN. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  44. ^ Passan, Jeff (May 29, 2021). "Atlanta Braves' Marcell Ozuna arrested after he choked wife and threw her against a wall, according to police in Georgia". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  45. ^ "Ozuna suspended 20 games under MLB domestic violence policy". USA Today. Associated Press. November 29, 2021. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  46. ^ Wells, Adam. "Braves' Marcell Ozuna's Wife Genesis Arrested on Domestic Battery Charge". Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
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