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

[MGM4706]

Martin is a back-up and nothing more. He makes a couple nice plays and people want to turn him into the next Kirby Puckett.

He was mediocre at 2nd. In the outfield he doesn't get great jumps, doesn't play the wall well and has a below average arm. Plus no power.

So maybe use as trade bait this off season or keep as a back-up and pinch runner. 

[dxpavelka]

11 hours ago, stringer bell said:

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

Who is Stinger Bell from Elgin?

 

[dxpavelka]

6 hours ago, joefish said:

High floor, low ceiling?

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

NO.  Nobody gets to be compared to Jake Cave.  Please.  If so, I petition Bally to take the games back off my cable system.

[Riverbrian]

I like Martin. 

I think he could develop into a decent keep the chain moving guy. 

Alas... It's a power game so what we need are pick up the chains and throw them into the parking lot guys. 

I like him though... I can think of two players on the roster that I'd choose Martin over. 

[DocBauer]

Martin had been pretty hot lately for sure. Is that due to maturation or to more consistent playing time? But there's still a lot if room for improvement before we get carried away and believe he's coming close to his potential.

I'm not down on him at all. I think there's real potential inside. But defensively, while I've seen some improvement, he's average at best anywhere you place him. He needs to be better than that, especially in CF. 

Offensively, he's probably never going to generate much pop/power. I think 10HR, eventually, would max him out. But he's got enough pop in his bat, I believe, to be a solid doubles hitter who sprints out a few triples as well. He's got contact and OB ability, but for most of this season he's been below or well below average as a hitter. 

I get he's a rookie feeling his way still. But he's POTENTIALLY a pretty big cog in next year's team as a LF/CF option from the right side. As we sit here today, the Twins need a better version of Margot in 2025. Martin has the ability to be that better version. I sure don't see the Twins signing anyone to take that role. And right now, older and non rostered Helman is the only other option on hand.

Assuming Keaschal makes a full recovery...and there's no reason to believe he won't...he's probably a better, duplicate version of Martin with more power, and MAYBE having the ability to play a little 3B in addition to 2B/1B/LF/CF. But he hasn't reached AAA yet, so I doubt he's ready until mid 2025?

I WANT the Twins to sign or trade for a "better version than Margot" RH OF to be a 4th OF option. I just don't see anything other than a rebound, inexpensive FA option with crossed fingers type. So Martin has an opportunity to be really important next year. Here's hoping we get that version.

[sftwinsfan]

I think he's got a spot as a utility guy, but not sure he'll be more than the 25th/26th guy on the roster. He's not great defensively but does have some versatility. Very little power, I do think he gets a little too fly ball happy at times and would like to see him try to slash line drives, go to the opposite field more. He also needs to use his speed better. While he's 2nd on the team in sprint speed, he's a little slow from home to 1st and he should have more than 7 SB in 214 PA. Even Margot is faster from home to 1st. Maybe there's some things he could do to get a better first step or something. He is good 1st to home or 2nd to home. Hopefully he can pick things up offensively (has been better recently) and up his stolen base game, then we may have a weapon off the bench or to occasionally start. 

[bean5302]

A lot of excitement about a player who has produced negative WAR this year.

It's tough to gauge a true ceiling since he's got adequate raw power he could tap into in the future, and his defense is very poor in the outfield as he gets a poor read off the bat. The realistic high expectation for him is probably a 1.0-1.5 WAR type utility player.

If he's never able to tap into his raw power, his ceiling is much lower. He needs to improve greatly in CF to become a legitimate backup there.

[wabene]

12 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

Who is Stinger Bell from Elgin?

 

A very good contributor to Twins Daily.

[wabene]

Martin has a chance to be a regular contributor. I agree with others that the Twins penchant for keeping players at SS in the minors when it is clear they don't have a future there, doesn't allow the player necessary reps at positions they may actually play. The bright side is with more work Martin has room to grow as an outfielder and 2nd baseman. 

Martin played 3rd for a top college team. This is a scouting report on his arm from Prospects Live,

"Arm: Martin's troublesome tool, if that phrase exists, is the arm. His raw arm strength is solid average and totally fine, but the consistency of his throwing mechanics led to some bouts of wildness, which made scouts question his utility on the infield. We didn't get to see much in 2020 to make final determinations, but all signs point to Martin's arm being a totally fine tool that'll allow him to play the left side.

Grade: 50Grades Update: Mar 2021

OFP Role Hit Power Field Arm Run

55   60   70  50      55     50    50"

For what it's worth Baseball America had this  Hit: 55. Power: 30. Field: 55. Run: 60,

but I couldn't see the rest without a subscription.

Martin suffered a partially torn UCL in spring training of 2023 and opted for rehab over surgery returning in July of that year. Being that he is now more than a year removed from that injury, if I was him I would pester Jeffers about getting on the same arm strength program Ryan did the off-season before last. Better jumps and an improved arm and we might just have something here. Oh and PAY ATTENTION ON THE BASES ALL THE TIME. lol

[twinstalker]

Well, that's a sad headline.

[MrAV]

On 8/26/2024 at 3:32 PM, MGM4706 said:

Martin is a back-up and nothing more. He makes a couple nice plays and people want to turn him into the next Kirby Puckett.

He was mediocre at 2nd. In the outfield he doesn't get great jumps, doesn't play the wall well and has a below average arm. Plus no power.

So maybe use as trade bait this off season or keep as a back-up and pinch runner. 

Totally agree.