Can Austin Martin Become a Trusted Center Field Option for the Twins?

[Western SD Fan]

I don't understand what all of the controversy is about.  We know that Buxton will start the season as CF, but will likely play anywhere from 90-110 games, which leaves some options open.  Buxton and Castro won't have to play much spring training to be ready to go from a fielding perspective.  That leaves plenty of spring training time for finding a backup for Buxton and improve on the skills necessary to play CF, which to me is what spring training is ultimately for.  It sounds like they want to give Martin as many reps as they can to prove that he can be capable at the position.  Martin should still be pushed in spring training by Keaschall, Keirsey, E-Rod, or anyone else in the organization capable of playing CF.  Even if you believe there are better prospects, developing him into a capable CF will still be a bonus as a potential trade piece, especially if he becomes a plus defender.

[Doctor Gast]

3 hours ago, NYCTK said:

I see that you've never seen me discuss Wallner :-)

I'm sorry NYCTK, I forgot you're down on all the Twins.

[JD-TWINS]

3 hours ago, Linus said:

The Twins threw Nick Gordon in CF a couple years ago and he had never played the outfield in his life.  He did better than Martin.  Posters keep referring to his “tools” and “athleticism “.  What am I missing?  He has a poor arm, average ish speed and no power.  Those are his tools.

His instincts as an outfielder suck - he’s athletic & if he played SS at one point his arm is fine. He doesn’t have great OF instincts as he showed both in LF & CF in ‘24. Is athletic enough to have made 4-5 spectacular plays but can look rough on plays just above routine.

[NYCTK]

17 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

I'm sorry NYCTK, I forgot you're down on all the Twins.

Not so, I love most of the pitching, except Woods Richardson but not really alone in that. And I do think Carlos Correa is very good and ultimately worth his contract. I just think it's not really worth it for a team on a tight budget, hampering a team that is well short of being a contender from improving. 

 

20 minutes ago, Western SD Fan said:

We know that Buxton will start the season as CF, but will likely play anywhere from 90-110 games,

Someone's an optimist...

[stringer bell]

10 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

His instincts as an outfielder suck - he’s athletic & if he played SS at one point his arm is fine. He doesn’t have great OF instincts as he showed both in LF & CF in ‘24. Is athletic enough to have made 4-5 spectacular plays but can look rough on plays just above routine.

Martin had an arm injury two or three years ago and missed a lot of time, but didn't have surgery IIRC. His arm has been rated as below average since. Perhaps another year of recovery will help the arm strength, but I doubt he will ever be considered as more than a "break glass in case of emergency" shortstop mostly because of his arm. 

I can't find it, but Reusse wrote a column about Martin suggesting he would be a good CF last year during spring training, but the results last year were subpar to be sure. Instincts really can't be installed and if his instincts are lousy, I doubt his good speed makes up for that.

Whether it is from hitting or taking free bases (walks and HBP), Martin needs to get on base a lot to make up for less than average power. I thought has base running was okay last year and I think he was only one of two or three that were viewed as plus base runners. Again, I think he needs to be better than slightly above average to be a real asset. 

With the dearth of speed that the Twins have, I think it would be good for a faster runner like Martin to play a greater role, but he's got to perform. I think 2025 will be his last chance to establish himself.

 

[sweetmusicviola16]

Yes, by all means give Martin lots of reps in CF in ST. Isn't that the point of ST? If he's shown by March 27 that he's not adjusting then he doesn't play. Its not complicated and it does no harm for him to be practicing in CF. Something just might click for him and he becomes the player he was forecast to be. If not he gets dispatched to St.Paul.

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

Martin had an arm injury two or three years ago and missed a lot of time, but didn't have surgery IIRC. His arm has been rated as below average since. Perhaps another year of recovery will help the arm strength, but I doubt he will ever be considered as more than a "break glass in case of emergency" shortstop mostly because of his arm. 

I can't find it, but Reusse wrote a column about Martin suggesting he would be a good CF last year during spring training, but the results last year were subpar to be sure. Instincts really can't be installed and if his instincts are lousy, I doubt his good speed makes up for that.

Whether it is from hitting or taking free bases (walks and HBP), Martin needs to get on base a lot to make up for less than average power. I thought has base running was okay last year and I think he was only one of two or three that were viewed as plus base runners. Again, I think he needs to be better than slightly above average to be a real asset. 

With the dearth of speed that the Twins have, I think it would be good for a faster runner like Martin to play a greater role, but he's got to perform. I think 2025 will be his last chance to establish himself.

 

‘25 is definitely his last shot in Minnesota.

I don’t ever see him playing SS.

I know he hurt his arm 3 years ago - unless he’s still hurt, he was once a shortstop so he therefore has an adequate arm for an OFer.

He’s not really “fast” he’s just not Donovan Solano slow - average baserunner is probably fair.

Nobody expects the last guy on the bench to be really good at anything……if he can manage LF - a little 2B - a little CF ….,,,he’s a valuable guy to roster………..particularly if Castro gets traded!! He needs to turn into one of the “contact guys” - “situational hitter”…..if he can execute details he’ll probably be part of the 13 rostered guys most of the year.

[Paul Walerius]

11 hours ago, MinnInPa said:

nope ..ride w Kiersey...i believe in him

Another Lefty

[jorgenswest]

Experience leads to instinct. It is possible he will become a passable centerfielder. His bat is his ticket though. He needs to get on base at a high rate to have a career.

How much should we get worked up about an OAA of -4 across 33 starts in centerfield? Is that about one out every 8 games? Certainly the Twins have bigger problems than that to fix. If he can get on base it seems like he should be able to make up for that in a bench role even if the improvement with experience doesn’t get him to the positive side of the ledger.