Starling Marte Bio
Starling Javier Marte (born October 9, 1988) is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder who made his Major League Baseball debut in 2012. A two-time MLB All-Star and two-time Gold Glove Award winner, Marte has been recognized for his defensive range and elite base-stealing ability, including leading the majors with 47 stolen bases in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Starling Javier Marte grew up on the outskirts of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. His mother died when he was nine and he was raised by his grandmother; those family experiences shaped his early life and determination to pursue professional baseball.
Marte entered professional baseball as an international signee with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, developing primarily as a center fielder in the minors. He rose through the Pirates’ system with strong contact hitting and speed, establishing himself as a top prospect by the time he reached Triple-A Indianapolis.
Path to Baseball
Marte signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization in 2007 and spent several seasons in the Pirates’ minor-league system. He represented the Pirates at the 2011 All-Star Futures Game and won the Eastern League batting title while earning multiple minor-league All-Star honors that year.
Promoted to the Pirates’ 40-man roster after a breakout 2011, Marte continued his development in Triple-A in 2012 before receiving a major-league call-up. His combination of contact, speed, and defensive skill provided a clear path from the Pirates’ Latin American complex to a regular major-league role.
Starling Marte Career
Early Career (2012–2014)
Marte made his major-league debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2012 and homered on the first pitch he saw, hitting a first-pitch home run off Dallas Keuchel. As a rookie, he showed his speed on the basepaths and soon earned a regular role in the Pirates outfield.
Over the next two seasons Marte established himself as a consistent contributor. By 2014 he posted strong batting averages, solid on-base numbers, and double-digit home run totals while stealing bases, laying the foundation for his reputation as a multi-dimensional outfielder.
Pittsburgh Pirates Breakthrough (2013–2019)
During his tenure with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Marte developed into one of the game’s premier defensive outfielders and most productive leadoff hitters. In 2015 he won his first Gold Glove Award as the National League’s best defensive left fielder and followed with a second consecutive Gold Glove in 2016.
Marte made his first All-Star team in 2016 after a first half that featured one of the best batting averages in the National League and outstanding base-stealing totals. He continued to be a top baserunner for the Pirates, regularly posting high stolen-base totals and delivering key offensive contributions through 2019.
His time in Pittsburgh also included notable highs and lows: multiple multi-homer games, a postseason debut and postseason home run, and an 80-game suspension in 2017 after testing positive for nandrolone. He returned to on-field success after serving the suspension and produced career highs in power and run production in 2019.
Arizona Diamondbacks and Miami Marlins (2020)
In January 2020, the Pittsburgh Pirates traded Marte to the Arizona Diamondbacks. His time in Arizona was brief; the Diamondbacks traded him to the Miami Marlins on August 31, 2020, in a deal that brought multiple prospects to Arizona.
Across the 2020 season split between Arizona and Miami, Marte continued to produce as a contact hitter with speed on the bases. He played in the 2020 postseason for the Marlins and suffered a fractured left hand during the Wild Card Series but contributed to Miami’s first playoff victory since 2003.
Oakland Athletics (2021)
The Miami Marlins traded Marte to the Oakland Athletics on July 28, 2021. Across the 2021 season, combining his time in Miami and Oakland, Marte batted for high average and led Major League Baseball with 47 stolen bases, underscoring his status as the game’s most dangerous baserunner that year.
His 2021 season also featured power and run production, and his league-leading stolen-base total cemented a career season that combined offensive consistency with elite speed.
New York Mets Era (2022–2025)
On November 30, 2021, Starling Marte signed a four-year contract with the New York Mets. He was selected to his second All-Star Game in 2022 after a strong first half, finishing that season with a high batting average, run production and stolen bases despite battling a groin injury.
Marte’s time with the Mets included notable postseason contributions in 2024, where he delivered key hits in both the Wild Card Series and the National League Championship Series, including a multi-double performance that helped the Mets defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers in a critical game. Injuries, including groin issues and other ailments, affected his availability at times, and the organization adjusted his role to manage his health.
Driving Style and Strengths
Marte’s game is built around a compact contact-oriented swing, excellent first-step quickness in the outfield and exceptional baserunning instincts. He covers ground in center and left field, making athletic plays in the outfield while using a combination of speed and timing to create value on the bases and in the lineup.
Notable Events and Milestones
Marte homered on the first pitch he faced in his major-league career, a rare achievement that announced his arrival. He is a two-time Gold Glove winner and two-time All-Star and led Major League Baseball in stolen bases in 2021. He recorded career milestones that include multiple seasons with 30-plus stolen bases and a 2019 campaign that combined career highs in home runs and RBI.
Starling Marte Career Wins
While counting wins is a team measure, Marte’s career highlights include defensive awards, All-Star selections, and sustained production across multiple clubs. He has led the majors in stolen bases, won two Gold Gloves, and earned All-Star honors twice for his play on both offense and defense.
Major League Highlights
Marte earned Gold Glove Awards in 2015 and 2016 and was selected as an All-Star in 2016 and 2022. His 2021 season stands out for leading the majors with 47 stolen bases while maintaining strong offensive production across two clubs that year.
Other Wins & Perfromances
Beyond individual awards, Marte has been a key postseason contributor at times, delivering pivotal hits and run-scoring plays for his teams. He has multiple seasons with 30-plus stolen bases and has combined contact hitting with opportunistic power and situational hitting throughout his career.
Starling Marte Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Born and raised in Santo Domingo, Marte’s early family life included the loss of his mother at a young age and being raised by his grandmother. That family support played an important role in his development and pursuit of professional baseball.
Personal Life
Marte has three children: sons Starling Jr. and Smerling and daughter Tiana. His first wife, Noelia Brazoban, was the mother of his children and died in May 2020 while awaiting medical treatment. In August 2023 Marte became engaged to Elianny Santana and the couple married in December 2023.
2025 Season Performance
Marte remained with the New York Mets through the 2025 season. The Mets adjusted his role to preserve his health, including plans to use him in a part-time designated hitter role at times to reduce outfield-related wear and minimize injury risk.
The 2025 season for Marte emphasized managed playing time and situational deployment, leveraging his batting skills and base-running when available while the club monitored long-term durability. His veteran presence and postseason experience continued to be assets in the clubhouse and on the roster.