Maximo Acosta: Welcoming Change

When you think of the word ambition, your mind should immediately shift to Maximo Acosta. This shortstop hailing from South America has continued to improve with every season he secures under his belt. His career in baseball since coming to America has come with lots of changes, injuries, and uncertainties. Where some players would be hesitant, Acosta has also welcomed the change with a positive attitude and lots of gratitude.

Acosta began his American baseball career signing with the Texas Rangers’ organization at the early age of 16. There in Texas, he built a home with the team and the Rangers’ organization.

He spent the 2024 season, playing for the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders for his fourth season in the minors. That season he hit eight home runs and only struck out 58 times out of 433 plate appearances. He slashed .288/.353/.425, recording his best stats thus far in the league.

On December 11, 2024, Acosta was traded to the Miami Marlines organization. This abrupt trade after he spent so much time in the Texas Ranger’s organization took Maximo by surprise as he had just completed his most successful season thus far.

“I am grateful with this team...they traded for me because they saw something special in me.”

Of course, this trade was more than just changing teams and the number on his jersey. Acosta had established his life in the United States in Texas and in the Rangers organization over the last six years. Moving his life, family and career to Florida was not a simple task as it was a huge adjustment for him to move somewhere and not know anyone. "It's really weird but I just need to figure it out.” Acosta moved to Jacksonville with his wife and one year old son, Maximo Junior.

Acosta has already learned so much from his new team including how to speak English. He completed his first English interview with Jumbo Shrimp broadcaster Scott Kornberg. How did he pick up English so quickly after joining the Jumbo Shrimp organization? Acosta strongly believes in supporting his team and encouraging them to improve themselves on the field and off. He applied this mentality towards his learning of English. When speaking to other players he encourages them to speak in English, so he can improve his speaking and comprehension of the English language.

As a lifelong shortstop, who else for Acosta to look up to as a role model in the game than Hall of Famer and arguably the most iconic shortstop in baseball history Derek Jeter. Jeter has been his role model since he was a young boy. What sticks out the most to Acosta about Jeter is his personality. “He is human, humble, a leader and a captain not just on the field but off the field too.” He considers him to be his hero and has since he was a young boy. Acosta strives to be like Jeter in his own dugout. When asked what three words he would use to describe himself, he replied, “winner, patient and humble.” He went on to explain that being a winner is not about personal success in a game, but about the team as a whole. " If my team wins, I am happy.” Of course, Acosta still recognizes and celebrates his personal wins, his most notable thus far, occurred this season when he hit a walk off against the Charlotte Knights on April 13^th.

Another substantial influence in Acosta’s life is his faith in God. His walk-up song in home games is Praise by Brandon Lake in Spanish. When asked about his song choice his face lit up with excitement and pride. He described it as a “song of praise.” He was inspired to choose the song by his friends at Church who suggested the worship song to him. He continues glorifying God when approaching the batter’s box by drawling a “D” in the clay for “Dios” which is “God” in Spanish.

Acosta is a confident and humble player who brings more to the Jumbo Shrimp than just his athletic abilities. He brings a strong presence of leadership and confidence into the dugout.