MLB All-Star catcher Alex Avila and World Series champion Cameron Maybin join MLB Network as on-air analysts
March 15, 2022 – MLB Network today announced that former MLB All-Star catcher Alex Avila and 2017 World Series Champion Cameron Maybin have joined its roster of on-air analysts. Both newly retired players will appear across MLB Network’s studio programming. Avila, who spent 13 years in Major League Baseball (2009-2021), recently joined MLB Network as a guest analyst during the 2021 Postseason. Maybin, who played 15 Major League seasons (2007-2021), recently joined an _MLB Tonight: A Conversation_program this past January. Highlights from Avila’s and Maybin’s careers can be viewed here, plus viewers can follow Avila on Instagram via @realalexavila, and Maybin on Twitter via @CameronMaybin and on Instagram via @cameronmaybin.
“Baseball has been such a big part of my life and joining MLB Network is an incredible opportunity to stay close to the game I love so much,” said Avila. “I am looking forward to getting into the studio and sharing unique player insight into what is happening on the diamond.”
“I’m very excited to be joining MLB Network,” said Maybin. “Like any former player making the transition to the next phase of their professional life, there is the unknown, but landing at MLB Network along with some of the other opportunities I’ll be afforded, is exactly where I want to be.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Alex and Cameron to the team,” said Marc Caiafa, MLB Network Senior Vice President of Production. “When they announced their retirements this offseason, we jumped at the chance to bring them aboard. Having their fresh-off the-field perspective will most certainly add to our studio programming throughout the season.”
Drafted by the Detroit Tigers in Round 5 of the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft, Avila would go on to spend eight years in Detroit (2009-2015 & 2017), including representing the organization in the 2011 MLB All-Star Game. For his career, Avila collected 714 hits, 352 runs, 297 RBI, 155 doubles and 105 home runs in 1,052 Major League games. In 2011, Avila received the Silver Slugger award as a catcher by posting 137 hits, 82 RBI, 33 doubles and 19 home runs in a career-high 141 games. Defensively in 2011, Avila ranked first in defensive games as a catcher (133), caught stealing as a catcher (40) and double plays turned as a catcher (14). Avila, who had a standout career for the University of Alabama, made six different trips to the Postseason, including playing a key role on the 2012 American League Champion Tigers.
Drafted by the Tigers in the First Round, 10th overall, of the 2005 MLB Amateur Draft, Maybin played for 10 different organizations in his career, including the Tigers (2007, 2016 & 2020), Florida Marlins (2008-10) and San Diego Padres (2011-14). After appearing in the 2006 and 2007 All-Star Futures Game, Maybin compiled 973 hits, 556 runs scored, 368 walks, 354 RBI, 187 stolen bases, 173 doubles and 72 home runs in 1,162 Major League games. In 2016, Maybin posted a career best .315 batting average and .383 on-base percentage for the Tigers. In his final five seasons, Maybin played for three different Postseason teams, including the 2017 World Series Champion Astros, who won the Fall Classic in seven games against the Los Angeles Dodgers. As a member of the 2019 AL East Division-winning Yankees, Maybin batted .285 with 11 home runs in 82 games. Maybin is the founder of Maybin Mission, a charitable platform that includes Camp Maybin, Streets to Peaks and Holiday Projects for kids in his hometown of Asheville, NC, plus he also sits on the leadership board of The Players Alliance.
In 2021, MLB Network added host and reporter Alanna Rizzo, former All-Star outfielder Chris Young, and former All-Star first baseman Yonder Alonso to its on-air roster.
About MLB Network:
Launched on January 1, 2009, MLB Network is the ultimate television destination for baseball fans, featuring the multiple Emmy Award-winning _MLB Tonight_, live regular season and Postseason game telecasts, original programming, highlights and analysis. MLB Network is distributed by TV providers throughout the U.S., Canada, Caribbean and Latin America, and is available for live, authenticated streaming via MLB At Bat and MLBNetwork.com/Watch. For more information, go to www.MLBNetwork.com.