Anthony Maldonado Bio
Anthony Omar Maldonado (born February 6, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently in the Houston Astros organization. A right-handed reliever, he has pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins and the Athletics, and he has also represented Puerto Rico on the international stage. After working his way through the Marlins’ farm system, Maldonado reached the majors in 2024 and has continued to compete at the highest levels of professional baseball.
Early Life and Background
Anthony Omar Maldonado was born on February 6, 1998, and grew up in the United States. He developed an early passion for the game of baseball and dedicated his youth to refining his skills as a pitcher. His family background and personal upbringing helped shape the discipline and work ethic that would later define his professional career.
Maldonado attended Bethune–Cookman University, a historically Black college located in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he played college baseball. His time with the Bethune–Cookman Wildcats allowed him to face quality competition and grow into one of the more promising arms in the program. The experience prepared him for the next step in his career, the 2019 MLB Draft.
Path to Baseball
Following his college career at Bethune–Cookman, Maldonado entered the 2019 MLB Draft, where the Miami Marlins selected him in the 11th round with the 321st overall pick. The selection marked the beginning of his professional journey and validated years of training and development as a relief pitcher. He quickly signed with the organization and reported to the Marlins’ developmental system.
Maldonado made his professional debut with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Marlins, where he posted a strong 1.59 ERA across 10 games. The Marlins’ player development staff identified him as a projectable bullpen arm, and he continued to build on that early success in the seasons that followed.
Anthony Maldonado Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Maldonado did not appear in a professional game during the 2020 season after Minor League Baseball was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He returned to action in 2021 and split the year across the rookie-level Florida Complex League Marlins, Single-A Jupiter Hammerheads, High-A Beloit Snappers, and Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Across 21 combined appearances, he produced a 4.30 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 29 and one-third innings pitched.
In 2022, Maldonado settled into a more defined role, splitting the season between Pensacola and the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. Working exclusively out of the bullpen, he recorded a 3.03 ERA with 86 strikeouts across 42 appearances, establishing himself as a reliable late-inning option in the upper levels of the Marlins’ system.
Miami Marlins Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Maldonado’s 2023 campaign in Jacksonville was a turning point in his career. In 34 relief outings with the Jumbo Shrimp, he posted a 7–3 record and a 1.76 ERA with 71 strikeouts and 9 saves, demonstrating the kind of consistency and swing-and-miss stuff that teams look for in a future big leaguer. On November 14, 2023, the Marlins added him to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.
He was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville to begin the 2024 season, but his time in the minors that year proved short. On April 26, 2024, Maldonado was promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He was even named the starting pitcher for that night’s game after Jesús Luzardo was scratched due to injury. In 16 appearances during his rookie campaign, he compiled a 1–1 record and 5.68 ERA with 11 strikeouts across 19 innings pitched, getting his first taste of MLB competition.
Athletics Era (2024–2025)
On November 4, 2024, Maldonado was claimed off waivers by the Athletics. The club designated him for assignment on January 30, 2025, but he cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators on February 5. In nine appearances for Las Vegas, he recorded a 0.73 ERA with 17 strikeouts and one save across 12 and one-third innings pitched, regaining the form that had carried him through the Marlins’ system.
On May 16, 2025, the Athletics selected Maldonado’s contract and added him to their active roster. In six appearances for the team, he posted a 12.00 ERA with seven strikeouts over six innings of work. On November 5, 2025, the club removed him from the 40-man roster and sent him outright to Las Vegas. Maldonado subsequently rejected the assignment and elected free agency.
Houston Astros Era (2025–Present)
On November 14, 2025, Maldonado signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros. The deal gave him a fresh opportunity to compete for a spot in another storied organization and continue his pursuit of a long-term major league role. He is expected to report to the Astros’ spring training and minor league affiliates as he works toward another big league call-up.
Driving Style and Strengths
Track-type strengths do not apply to baseball, but Maldonado’s craft as a reliever is built on a sharp breaking ball, the ability to miss bats, and poise in high-leverage situations. He has produced double-digit strikeout rates relative to innings at multiple stops, including 17 strikeouts in just over 12 innings in Triple-A Las Vegas. His experience working with development-oriented coaching staffs in the Marlins and Athletics systems has helped him refine his command and his approach against both left-handed and right-handed hitters.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Maldonado’s career came on April 26, 2024, when he was promoted to the majors by the Marlins and named the starting pitcher on the same day after Jesús Luzardo was scratched due to injury. He also represented Puerto Rico at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, an appearance that highlighted his connection to the island and added an international milestone to his résumé.
Anthony Maldonado Career Wins
Across his professional career, Anthony Maldonado has accumulated notable win totals at the minor league level, with his most productive season coming in 2023 when he went 7–3 for the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. He also posted a winning record in several developmental stops, including a 1–1 mark in his 2024 rookie campaign with the Miami Marlins. While his major league win total is still developing, his minor league résumé reflects the consistency of a relief pitcher who has delivered in high-leverage spots.
Minor League and International Highlights
Maldonado’s 9 saves in 2023 with Jacksonville stand as one of the strongest relief seasons of his career, paired with a 1.76 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 34 outings. At the international level, his appearance for Puerto Rico at the 2023 World Baseball Classic gave him a chance to compete against some of the best hitters in the world. His Triple-A work with Las Vegas in 2025, where he posted a 0.73 ERA, further reinforced his reputation as a high-upside bullpen arm.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his headline seasons, Maldonado has produced dependable performances at every minor league stop, including stops with the Gulf Coast League Marlins, Florida Complex League Marlins, Jupiter Hammerheads, Beloit Snappers, Pensacola Blue Wahoos, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, and Las Vegas Aviators. His ability to move between levels and adjust to new competition has been a hallmark of his development.
Anthony Maldonado Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Publicly available information about Anthony Omar Maldonado’s parents and broader family is limited. What is known is that he grew up in the United States and developed a strong connection to Puerto Rico, which he has proudly represented on the international stage. His path from Bethune–Cookman University to the major leagues reflects a family-supported journey built on perseverance and dedication to the game.
Personal Life
Maldonado’s personal life, including details about a spouse or children, has not been publicly disclosed. He continues to focus on his career in professional baseball, splitting his time between minor league affiliates and the major league organizations that have employed him. His social media presence and continued involvement with the Houston Astros organization suggest he remains committed to extending his playing career.
2025 Season Performance
Anthony Maldonado’s 2025 season was defined by movement between Triple-A Las Vegas and the major league roster of the Athletics. In nine appearances with Las Vegas, he delivered an outstanding 0.73 ERA with 17 strikeouts and one save across 12 and one-third innings, showing the swing-and-miss ability that has always been central to his profile. That production earned him a return to the big leagues on May 16, when the Athletics selected his contract.
At the major league level, the season proved more challenging. In six appearances with the Athletics, he posted a 12.00 ERA with seven strikeouts over six innings of work. Despite the rough major league numbers, his Triple-A performance kept him firmly in the conversation as a useful relief arm heading into the offseason. On November 5, 2025, the club removed him from the 40-man roster and sent him outright to Las Vegas, and he subsequently rejected the assignment and elected free agency.
Looking ahead, Maldonado’s outlook brightened on November 14, 2025, when he signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros. The new deal provides him with another path back to the majors and an opportunity to contribute to one of the most competitive organizations in baseball. His combination of minor league track record, international experience with Puerto Rico, and prior MLB exposure should make him a strong candidate to compete for a bullpen role in spring training.