In the Absence of Byron Buxton, Austin Martin is Reaching His Full Potential for Twins

[Cody Christie]

Austin Martin has been one of the Twins’ most consistent hitters since the calendar turned to August. Is he finally putting it all together at the big-league level?

Image courtesy of Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

For years, Austin Martin was a name capable of stirring excitement among baseball scouts and analysts. Drafted fifth overall by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2020 MLB Draft, Martin was seen as a prospect with huge potential. His athleticism, batting skills, and versatility in the field made him a highly coveted player. However, the journey from being a top draft pick to becoming a productive major-league player is arduous, and Martin’s path has been no different.

Early Promise and the Big Trade
Martin’s baseball journey took a significant turn when he was traded (along with Simeon Woods Richardson) to the Twins in July 2021, as part of the deal that sent José Berríos to Toronto. The trade was a statement by the Twins, signaling their belief in Martin’s potential to be a significant contributor. At the time of the trade, Martin was hitting .281 with a .424 on-base percentage for Toronto’s Double-A affiliate, showcasing his ability to get on base and make things happen.

His ability to play multiple positions—second base, left field, and center field—added to his allure. However, the Twins were acquiring more than a multi-positional defender; they hoped the young player would blossom into a consistent, dynamic hitter.

Development in the Minors 
Martin’s initial time with the Twins organization was a period of adjustment. Moving from one organization to another can be challenging for any player, especially for someone so early in their professional career. In 2022, Martin’s performance dipped slightly, and injuries further hampered his development. He hit .241 with a .367 OBP and struggled to find the power that scouts once believed he would develop.

In the 2023 season, the narrative began to shift. Martin started to show signs of being the player he was projected to be. Playing for the St. Paul Saints, he began to refine his approach at the plate, focusing on making consistent contact and utilizing his speed on the base paths. He also improved his defensive game, becoming a more reliable and versatile option in the field.

The coaching staff in St. Paul worked closely with Martin to fine-tune his mechanics. His swing became more compact, and he started to drive the ball with more authority. His strikeout rate decreased, and he became more selective at the plate, waiting for pitches he could handle. These adjustments began to pay dividends, as he posted a .297 average with a .900 OPS in the final 43 games of the season. His stolen bases (14 in those 43 games) also climbed, showcasing his ability to impact the game in multiple ways.

The Breakthrough at the Big-League Level
In 2024, Austin Martin finally got his chance to prove himself at the major-league level. In need of a spark, the Twins called him up, but he suffered through inconsistent performance. His first 30 games found him struggling to adjust to a new level, which was something that plagued him in the minors. In his 83 plate appearances, he posted a .645 OPS with eight extra-base hits and a 16-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

In June, his offensive performance improved, albeit in limited action. In 35 plate appearances, he went 12-for-32 (.375), with two doubles and an .866 OPS. July was his worst month in the big leagues to date, with a .315 OPS and more strikeouts (6) than hits (3). Since Byron Buxton has missed time in August, though, the Twins have been forced to use Martin more regularly in center field. More consistent playing time has allowed him to find his groove. In 20 games (58 PA), he is hitting .346/.414/.462, with four doubles and a triple. 

His ability to get on base and smart baserunning have made him a valuable asset. The Twins, a team that has prided itself on developing homegrown talent, have been thrilled to see Martin’s growth. His versatility has allowed manager Rocco Baldelli to utilize him in multiple positions, providing the team with flexibility and depth.

The Future Looks Bright
Martin's journey to the big leagues has been a test of patience, perseverance, and adaptability. His ability to adjust and improve at each level of the minors is a testament to his work ethic and the support of the Twins' development staff. Now, as he establishes himself in the majors, Martin is beginning to show why he was considered one of the top prospects in baseball.

His story is a reminder that player development is rarely linear. Each player’s path is unique, and success at the highest level often requires overcoming adversity and making continuous adjustments. Seeing Martin finally put it all together for the Twins is a validation of their investment in his talent and commitment to his growth.

As Martin continues to mature and develop, the Twins can look forward to having a dynamic player who can contribute in multiple facets of the game. His blend of speed, athleticism, and on-base ability is rare. If his current trajectory continues, Martin may soon become a household name in Minnesota--and beyond.

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What have your impressions been of Martin this month? Can he continue his recent hot streak? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

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[dxpavelka]

But what is his ceiling?  What's his floor?  What can we reasonably expect?

 

[stringer bell]

It appears to me that Austin Martin has graduated to the major league level this year and that is good for him. However, I see a pretty limited upside. First and foremost, he plays two positions acceptably--second base and left field--not exactly the most vital defensive positions. He's played quite a bit of center field and he's definitely below average there. Secondly, as an offensive player, Martin lacks power. He has one homer in 214 plate appearances, although the 14 doubles and a triple give him an acceptable 16 extra base hits in those PAs. He's fast, but not a burner who can change a game or an inning solely by getting on first. Martin's throwing arm has been regarded as below average, limiting him to second base on the infield and precluding him from playing right field in the outfield. It makes center field more of a stretch as well. I don't know if his arm can or will improve, but I do know that making accurate throws (hitting the cutoff man etc.) makes up for a lot of not having a cannon like Matt Wallner. 

I think injuries and lack of experience have hindered Martin's development, particularly as a defender, and that with better angles and fundamentals most of his rough spots as an outfielder can be polished up. With gradual improvement as an offensive player and notable defensive steps, Martin could be much better next year and step into a role where he gets regular playing time, perhaps being the alternative for Byron Buxton in center field as well as getting playing time in both left and second. I don't foresee stardom unless both his defense and offense have another gear.

[stringer bell]

8 minutes ago, dxpavelka said:

But what is his ceiling?  What's his floor?  What can we reasonably expect?

 

My opinion: Floor--major league bench player. Ceiling--major league regular, but not a star.

[Coach Wheels]

Tradeable assets for the winter:

Kiriloff, Julien, and Martin.

Any or all 3 could be moved although I believe Kiriloff and Julien probably bring you back better prospects. If you trade the 1st 2 on my list, Martin probably stays as your defensive flex guy

[Linus]

18 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

It appears to me that Austin Martin has graduated to the major league level this year and that is good for him. However, I see a pretty limited upside. First and foremost, he plays two positions acceptably--second base and left field--not exactly the most vital defensive positions. He's played quite a bit of center field and he's definitely below average there. Secondly, as an offensive player, Martin lacks power. He has one homer in 214 plate appearances, although the 14 doubles and a triple give him an acceptable 16 extra base hits in those PAs. He's fast, but not a burner who can change a game or an inning solely by getting on first. Martin's throwing arm has been regarded as below average, limiting him to second base on the infield and precluding him from playing right field in the outfield. It makes center field more of a stretch as well. I don't know if his arm can or will improve, but I do know that making accurate throws (hitting the cutoff man etc.) makes up for a lot of not having a cannon like Matt Wallner. 

I think injuries and lack of experience have hindered Martin's development, particularly as a defender, and that with better angles and fundamentals most of his rough spots as an outfielder can be polished up. With gradual improvement as an offensive player and notable defensive steps, Martin could be much better next year and step into a role where he gets regular playing time, perhaps being the alternative for Byron Buxton in center field as well as getting playing time in both left and second. I don't foresee stardom unless both his defense and offense have another gear.

This is spot on. I will add that I wish all the reps he was getting at SS in the minors would have included far more reps in CF where he is pretty rough. As TK always said you don’t know what you have until they have 1000-1500 at bats. 

[stringer bell]

2 minutes ago, Linus said:

This is spot on. I will add that I wish all the reps he was getting at SS in the minors would have included far more reps in CF where he is pretty rough. As TK always said you don’t know what you have until they have 1000-1500 at bats. 

Agree. I was going to remark that his time in the minors was principally at shortstop. It doesn't give him experience getting jumps and setting up to make throws among other things. Martin has plenty of speed to be a good outfielder and I don't think his arm disqualifies him from center. He just hasn't played out there enough to make the right decisions and be fundamentally sound.

[stringer bell]

21 minutes ago, Coach Wheels said:

Tradeable assets for the winter:

Kiriloff, Julien, and Martin.

Any or all 3 could be moved although I believe Kiriloff and Julien probably bring you back better prospects. If you trade the 1st 2 on my list, Martin probably stays as your defensive flex guy

I think Martin is the only one of those three that I would consider trading. Julien and Kirilloff both are at a low point in their value, much like Miranda and Larnach were last year. Martin has shown he isn't awed by the majors, but he hasn't established himself. All three of those guys are young enough to expect they will get better. 

[USAFChief]

I think Martin will be an acceptable bench player. But not someone you want holding down a full-time job.

Very limited power. Can't hold down a premium defensive position full time.

[Karbo]

At this point I would take Martin over either Margot or Julian. I'm just guessing that next season he will fill the role they gave Margot this year.

[Doctor Gast]

Thank you Cody for this refreshing insightful article. Martin has a spunky personality. He has gone through a lot of adjustments & difficulties. Adjusting to a different team, TOR & MN trying to make him into a power SS (?) throughout his pro career, setting him back offensively & defensively. Twins & fans were giving up on him because he wasn't that power SS they dearly wanted. It wasn't until the end of '22 when he said enough, I'm going to be myself & at AFL he became that OB machine, base-path terror that showed remarkable talent in a new position in CF.

The Twins showed a lack of faith in Martin & Keirsey by signing Margot (which saddened me very much). The Twins should have handled their new RHH rookie with kid gloves by starting him only against easy LHPs. But no that was reserved for FO's new pet Margot & Martin was stuck with the more difficult RHPs (RHPs that (LHH) Keirsey would be more suited for) that even veterans have problems with. Even with this obstacle Martin is slowly overcoming this with good ABs & constantly getting better due to his spunkiness. Margot signed as Buxton's sub in CF, Martin has usurped him there even though he's a rookie at a new prime position.

Due to the obstacles he has faced, Martin is far from his ceiling at the MLB level. Once becoming acclimated to the MLB, he'll become that OB machine that terrorizes pitchers on the base paths, a natural 2Bman that can dominate CF & LF & eventually develop that power that many desire. That spunkiness that keeps him overcoming those obstacles will also spark many rallies & score a ton of runs.

[Blyleven2011]

Martin's head on the base paths are savvy  , he broke up the double play by stopping and making the fielder tag him , that allowed the batter to reach first base ...

Martin's game isn't power but making contact and putting the ball in play and if he can develop a little more exit velocity , that could improve his hitting and on base percentage  ...

With patience we should see improvements in his game , defensively  and offensively  ...

[DJL44]

He's very unlikely to hit .346 for a full season so I wouldn't count on what he's done for us lately. He's hit .260 over the course of his professional career. A .260/.330/.370 line is what I would expect as a baseline. If he can improve his defense that's good enough for a 4th OF role. He has the tools (75th percentile sprint speed) to be better on defense but his results have been underwhelming (6th percentile OAA). The Twins wasted a lot of time playing him at SS and the claims that he is a "natural" outfielder were highly exaggerated. If his defense doesn't improve his MLB career will be quite short.

[NYCTK]

Do I have confidence the solidly below replacement player can become a slightly above average replacement player? I guess so.

If he can prove competency on defense, he can be a reasonable utility player. But I haven't seen it.

[Rufus]

2 hours ago, Coach Wheels said:

Tradeable assets for the winter:

Kiriloff, Julien, and Martin.

Any or all 3 could be moved although I believe Kiriloff and Julien probably bring you back better prospects. If you trade the 1st 2 on my list, Martin probably stays as your defensive flex guy

What do you think they Twins could get by trading Kiriloff and Julien now?   Their trade value is about as low as Miranda's was last year at this time.   

[JD-TWINS]

Martin takes Margot’s spot in the OF in ‘25 along with Castro. Neither are great OF but both have speed and above average arms as former SS. If he hits .260 with a .330 OBP he sees a good hunk of games in ‘25!……Team needs athletic, inexpensive roll players……his OF defense will continue to improve with reps, at least to “average”.

[JD-TWINS]

Versus LH pitcher in ‘25:

Lewis - Miranda - Buxton - Correa - Catcher - Castro - Lee - Martin - DH?

[LA Vikes Fan]

2 hours ago, USAFChief said:

I think Martin will be an acceptable bench player. But not someone you want holding down a full-time job.

Very limited power. Can't hold down a premium defensive position full time.

I think if the Martin that we are seeing now is the long term Martin, I would agree. It's very hard to have a starting player who hits 5 or les HRs a year unless that player can play CF, SS, or C at a pretty high level. 

Where I disagree is I don't think this is the long term Martin, I think he will improve both at the plate and on defense. I think he could be an above average to very good (not elite) CF with reps and practice. I also think he could be a .280/.340/.425, 30 Doubles, 20 SBs kind of hitter as early as next year. or 2026. To me, that's a solid regular #3 or #4 OF. I see him as part of a 4 OF group next year with Buxton, Larnach, and Wallner, with Castro out there occasionally as part of a super utility role.  Maybe I'm too optimistic but I think that level of potential is there. I would not trade him in the off season unless his presence in a package could get us a frontline starting pitcher. I think Martin is here for the longer run. 

[Craig Arko]

Martin kind of makes me think of a right handed version of Ben Revere. Very helpful in the right circumstances. 

[LambchoP]

Martin has been very fun to watch this year. Since Buxton's injury, Martins numbers have all steadily improved with more playing time. He's also getting better as an OF defender too. I think with more innings and experience he could be a decent 4rth OF and backup 2nd base. Kind of a poor man's Willi Castro. I'd rather see Martin out there than either of Margot or Julien .

[NYCTK]

56 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

.280/.340/.425

You think Austin Martin is gonna jump from a .100 ISO guy to a .145? There's not a chance in a hell. 

[S Bart]

I fully agree with the comments regarding Martin's performance being decent, but growth still being needed. For me, the bigger question is the other name in the above headline.  He seems to want to play, but his track record of dependability is simply horrible. It seems ridiculous and Rocco constantly rationing his playing time makes it even frustrating.  Is there an answer to Buxton and his constant injuries? Has there ever been a "star player" on this team with this type of track record and conservative treatment?

[joefish]

I think he has more questionable base running romps than just the one dp he avoided by stopping short.

Time and experience will tell. I like his contributions lately. 

[mickster]

4 hours ago, Coach Wheels said:

Tradeable assets for the winter:

Kiriloff, Julien, and Martin.

Any or all 3 could be moved although I believe Kiriloff and Julien probably bring you back better prospects. If you trade the 1st 2 on my list, Martin probably stays as your defensive flex guy

I would add Miranda to that list

[JD-TWINS]

WHO gets demoted as Correa - Buxton - Lee are ready to play again?

It seems that for September (6 days away) with the extra position player, only two guys need to get removed from what will be a 14 position/14 pitcher roster. Who are the 2 guys?

Only options if all are healthy are Julien - Farmer - Margot - Martin. What two?

I think Lee for Julien just on defensive stability.

Martin sure seems to have earned at least the extra roster spot for the month!

Farmer or Margot? With Kepler nicked up as of today, am leaning to Farmer being DFAed. Tough call if one ignores emotion.

[Coach Wheels]

8 minutes ago, mickster said:

I would add Miranda to that list

Maybe although I think I seem as our 1st baseman with Lewis, Correa, and Lee creating a kick-ass group

[Coach Wheels]

1 hour ago, Rufus said:

What do you think they Twins could get by trading Kiriloff and Julien now?   Their trade value is about as low as Miranda's was last year at this time.   

Yeah, that's a fair point but I also don't know where all of them play next year either. Larna h gets RF, Wallner gets LF, and Buxton plays CF. Maybe Martin is your 4th OF or they find a guy cheap (the Twins love cheap OF).

Lee is your 2nd baseman for the next 8-12 years, not sure how Julien fits

[joefish]

5 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

But what is his ceiling?  What's his floor?  What can we reasonably expect?

 

High floor, low ceiling?

Doesn't hurt you but doesn't make you better?  Ala Jake Cave? 

[chpettit19]

2 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

WHO gets demoted as Correa - Buxton - Lee are ready to play again?

It seems that for September (6 days away) with the extra position player, only two guys need to get removed from what will be a 14 position/14 pitcher roster. Who are the 2 guys?

Only options if all are healthy are Julien - Farmer - Margot - Martin. What two?

I think Lee for Julien just on defensive stability.

Martin sure seems to have earned at least the extra roster spot for the month!

Farmer or Margot? With Kepler nicked up as of today, am leaning to Farmer being DFAed. Tough call if one ignores emotion.

I think everything this FO has done the last couple years screams that Julien and Martin are going back to AAA if the roster is ever fully healthy. Only way it's not them is if Margot or Farmer suddenly feel a tweak in their hammy they didn't know was there until Falvey swung by the clubhouse to talk to them. Like Gallo last year. This FO doesn't drop veteran position players if they can do anything at all to help it.

But history tells us there's a very little chance the roster is ever fully healthy so at least 1 decision will be made for them by somebody else being injured along the way.

[Shaitan]

Before the season I thought he profiled for Gordon's roster role. Still seems that way now. Backup OF/emergency IF. That's a valuable player. Hopefully he can push to be a starter because that means he's doing even better than expected.