Jeremy Martinez
| AB | 624 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .232 |
| OBP | .323 |
| SLG | .333 |
| HR | 13 |
- Full name Jeremy J. Martinez
- Born 12/29/1994 in Fountain Valley, CA
- Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Southern California
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Drafted in the 4th round (136th overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016 (signed for $600,000).
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A showcase veteran and USA Baseball stalwart in his prep days, Martinez served mostly as a DH in his first two seasons at USC behind All-American Garrett Stubbs. He finally got to catch regularly for a disappointing Trojans club in 2016 and was one of the few bright spots. A below-average athlete and 20 runner, Martinez doesn't do it pretty, but he's got strength, knows the strike zone well and has become a good hitter who has adjusted his prep approach, when he appeared to be trying to mimic Albert Pujols. He has high contact ability and pull power while showing a better feel for using the whole field. He has a solid-average arm but lacks the athleticism and agility to be a strong defender behind the plate as a pro. Martinez profiles as a backup catcher who has the makeup to fit the job description.
Top Rankings
Draft Prospects
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A showcase veteran and USA Baseball stalwart in his prep days, Martinez served mostly as a DH in his first two seasons at USC behind All-American Garrett Stubbs. He finally got to catch regularly for a disappointing Trojans club in 2016 and was one of the few bright spots. A below-average athlete and 20 runner, Martinez doesn't do it pretty, but he's got strength, knows the strike zone well and has become a good hitter who has adjusted his prep approach, when he appeared to be trying to mimic Albert Pujols. He has high contact ability and pull power while showing a better feel for using the whole field. He has a solid-average arm but lacks the athleticism and agility to be a strong defender behind the plate as a pro. Martinez profiles as a backup catcher who has the makeup to fit the job description. -
Martinez has been a big name in scouting circles since he was in the ninth grade, but scouts say he is much the same player now as he was then. He played for USA Baseball's 16-and-under national team before his sophomore year in 2010, then hit .387/.558/.548 for the 18-and-under team a year later, leading Team USA to a gold medal at the Pan Am Championships in Colombia. In 2012, he helped the 18U team to another gold medal, at the 18U World Championship in South Korea. Martinez is a savvy, polished young catcher, but he lacks loud tools. He handles a pitching staff well, and he's an average receiver with a fringe-average arm. Offensively, he has a contact-oriented approach and projects as a fringe-average hitter. He has flashed raw power at showcases and in batting practice, but it doesn't play in games. He had no home runs in 98 plate appearances this spring, swinging a wood bat. His 5-foot-11, 195-pound frame lacks projection. Martinez is committed to Southern California, and many scouts aren't interested in buying him out of that commitment, but his makeup and track record could prompt a club to take a run at him around the fifth or sixth round.
