With or Without Sausage, Austin Martin Continues to Be a Spark Plug in St. Paul Season Debut

[Theodore Tollefson]

Austin Martin was back in St. Paul Wednesday night, and the Twins rookie adjusted well to his situation as he comes back to Triple-A with 22 games in the big leagues under his belt.

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints

ST. PAUL– It was another beautiful spring night Wednesday in St. Paul, as Austin Martin made his season debut with the Saints against the Louisville Bats.

He was with the club to begin the 2024 season, but after Royce Lewis got hurt on Opening Day in Kansas City, Martin was called up before he even appeared in a game. Since then, Martin has had his first taste of the major leagues, playing in 22 games with the Twins between second base, left field, and center field.

Over those 22 games, Martin had a triple slash of .226/.294/.371; hit his first big-league home run; and went through the highs and lows the Twins experienced throughout their first month of the season. But upon returning to Triple-A, Martin said confidence is the most important thing he's brought back to the East side of the Twin Cities. 

“Being able to handle what we’ll quote as the best of the best up there,” said Martin. “When you come down a level, you’re going to have that confidence in the box.”

Confidence converted cleanly into production at the plate Wednesday night, as he went 2-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI in the Saints' 8-5 victory over the Bats. Martin did strike out twice, including with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning. But it’s at-bats like those that are keeping him humble and focused.

“I’m trying to take the same approach to the game. I don’t want to necessarily think that I am above this level and try to cruise through it," Martin said. "I just want to get the most out of this as I can and try to get better.” 

The upside of being sent down is the certainty Martin now enjoys, in what he deems the most important thing for his development: everyday opportunities at the plate. It’s something Saints manager Toby Gardenhire took notice of from the rookie Wednesday night. 

“He did a great job up in the big leagues and he just continued what he was doing up there in his first game here, which is exactly what you want to see from guys," Gardenhire said. "When they come down here, they don’t skip a beat, they keep it going, because that’s what the big-league team is going to want." 

Saints hitting coach Shawn Schlecter worked with Martin frequently during Spring Training, and finally got to see him in a game for the first time Wednesday. Schlecter wasn’t disappointed with any of the results he saw. 

“He’s had a ton of success in his career [at] just controlling the strike zone and waiting for the pitcher to come to him, and that’s exactly what he did tonight," Schlecter said. "He typically hits line drives all over the field, and he uses the opposite field pretty well with a couple of extra-base hits that way." 

Martin was a spark plug to the Saints lineup that has needed an extra jolt after losing three straight games by one or two runs. With Martin coming back from the Twins (who are on a 10-game winning streak) with help from an unexpected source, the question had to be asked: Did a bit of the magic mojo from the Twins' dugout summer sausage come with Martin to help the Saints out?

“I might have slapped the sausage one time,” Martin said. “But I am just down here, trying to get better and win ball games.”

Gardenhire isn’t quite a believer in the mysterious powers of the sausage; his vote of confidence is in Martin’s abilities. 

“I don’t know if he brought the sausage magic,” Gardenhire said, laughing. “But he brought some magic, he did a good job.”

Schlecter, on the other hand, is more open to the power of the summer sausage on top of his confidence in Martin.

“We’re hoping so. Obviously, they’re having a lot of success with it up there, and it’s fun to watch. I think the guys down here are feeding off that as well,” Schlecter said. [Ed. note: Ha! Feeding off it. With a name like Schlecter, you've gotta nail a sausage pun.]

Magic sausage mojo or not, Martin and his coaches at Triple-A were impressed with his first game back and his mindset, as he waits for the next opportunity to return with the Twins--which, hopefully, will include fresher summer sausage in the clubhouse. Maybe he can also be the link [Ed. note: I did this one. Lean in, everyone. It's sausage szn.] for the so-far sausageless Saints.

“We don’t have any sausages, or really any packaged meats down here just yet,” Schlecter confirmed. “But if they keep rolling that way up there, we might have to introduce it.”

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[LambchoP]

Will Martin be right back up if Buxton needs an IL trip for his knee? I'd be fine with that, Martin can add another dynamic to our lineup...

[Theodore Tollefson]

4 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

Will Martin be right back up if Buxton needs an IL trip for his knee? I'd be fine with that, Martin can add another dynamic to our lineup...

It's likely. The Twins will have a couple of moves today with a roster spot opening from Caleb Boushley being sent down yesterday too. I'd expect two moves before first pitch.

[Doctor Gast]

Martin has a great attitude, he hasn't let this demotion get him down. IMO he doesn't have anything more to learn at the AAA level. He needs playing time on the MLB level to become more relaxed & confident. I could be wrong but to me Martin's production since the sausage has dipped not raised. We still need him on the main team.

[Karbo]

I would think he will be recalled if Buxton goes on the IL.

[Patzky]

1 hour ago, Theo Tollefson said:

It's likely. The Twins will have a couple of moves today with a roster spot opening from Caleb Boushley being sent down yesterday too. I'd expect two moves before first pitch.

Topa and Martin?

[bean5302]

I'm glad Martin got some time and plate appearances in the big show, and it doesn't surprise me his play at AAA has looked good right out of the gate. AAA is easy-mode after facing MLB pitchers. In a way, even if a player doesn't succeed at the MLB level, they still get the opportunity to identify weaknesses in their game which can permanently improve their level of play in the minors.

Based on the fact Martin held his own against MLB pitching, I'd expect him to get more opportunities as soon as the openings become available.

[Craig Arko]

1 minute ago, Patzky said:

Topa and Martin?

That would be my guess.

[Muppet]

Alcala is up

[wabene]

Alcala getting his due 

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, Theo Tollefson said:

“I might have slapped the sausage one time,” Martin said.

[Patzky]

31 minutes ago, Craig Arko said:

That would be my guess.

Always a deception. It's Alcala who was called up.

[wabene]

The Twins have a genuine pest on their hands here.