Is Austin Martin Out Of Time?

[Cody Pirkl]

Good news for players like Mickey Gasper and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. meant bad news for Austin Martin today. What’s next for the former top prospect left off the Opening Day roster?

Image courtesy of Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Twins made a series of announcements this week, awarding roster spots to several players who will travel north with the team when the regular season begins this week. Austin Martin is on the outside looking in, raising significant questions for the 26-year-old former fifth overall pick.

Several roster spots have opened up unexpectedly on the position player side this spring, as Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee opened the season on the IL. While disappointing, this created an opportunity for a handful of players. At this point, it must be alarming that the Twins perceive Austin Martin so far down the depth chart.

Offensively, Martin has struggled to make good on his draft pedigree at almost every stop in the minor leagues. He’s often displayed impressive plate discipline and ability to make contact but hasn’t been able to develop any power whatsoever throughout his career. He has yet to slug .400 in an entire season, which leaves a murky path to being anything close to a regular in the MLB. Even with an 18.3% walk rate at the MLB level in 2024, he was a below-average hitter.

The hope was that Martin’s athleticism could still earn him a bench spot and afford him more time to seize an opportunity and develop further. Unfortunately, Martin hasn’t been able to translate that athleticism to the defensive side of his game, which is likely what cost him an Opening Day roster spot.

Martin saw significant playing time in the infield throughout his minor league career despite the Blue Jays and Twins having little faith that he would stick there long term. The hope was that Martin would immediately become a strong outfielder defensively because of his raw physical talent when they finally made the change. So far, in his brief MLB action, this has not proven to be the case. Martin was a negative defensively at every position the Twins tried him at in 2024. His speed hasn’t been able to compensate for his lack of instincts at these positions, leaving him without a defensive home.

The lack of confidence in Martin’s ability to contribute on either side of the ball will result in him spending the beginning of his age-26 season in St. Paul. He’s already performed there as well as can be expected over the last two seasons, which begs the question of what precisely the Twins need to see from him to trust him at the MLB level.

Martin is a depth piece, behind several players at multiple positions on the depth chart, with several top prospects approaching who may quickly surpass him. Luke Keaschall will warrant playing time at second base. Emmanuel Rodriguez will see time in center field at some point this season. DaShawn Keirsey Jr. will likely play ahead of him if he gets squeezed off the MLB roster. It’s not a good spot for Martin to be.

Austin Martin could further develop his outfield defense to at least earn a bench spot in the future, but time is likely running out for the former headliner of the Jose Berrios trade to work his way into the Twins plans. He has nothing left to prove in Triple-A, and the Twins don’t feel he can help them at the MLB level. It will take quite a series of events for Martin to have a chance to establish himself in Minnesota at this point, raising the question of whether this opportunity may have to come elsewhere.

Monday’s roster cuts were a worst-case scenario for Austin Martin and raised some significant questions about his future with the Minnesota Twins. Is his time about to run out?

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What should the Twins do with Austin Martin? Where does he go from here? Let us know in the comments.

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[Linus]

Probably.  He has to make substantial improvements on both sides of the ball to be useful in the big leagues.  He could improve his hitting but probably never enough to make up for his poor fielding.  Likewise he could improve his fielding but probably never enough to make up for his mediocre bat.  More concerning to me is this is a complete whiff in player evaluation and development by the FO which isnt uncommon. 

[mikelink45]

I just have not been impressed by him throughout his time and I think the twins gave him all the opportunity he could ask for. Sometimes a player just doesn't have it. For his sake it might be vested DFA and let some other organization pick him up and give him a chance. I don't think he's worth anything in a trade and we definitely have a group of players coming up that are going to make it even more difficult. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

It has been 2 whole games so far

[rdehring]

Keep asking the question, what if?

What if the Twins let him settle into playing only in the infield or outfield.  If so, would his defense be better?

Don't know what to think about his bat.  On paper I wonder if he could be someone similar to Arraez, only a lot faster.  But his play seems to indicate that ain't likely.

His future in the outfield with the Twins doesn't exist with EmRod and Jenkins likely joining the team between this summer and the start of next year, at the latest.  With Lee, Keaschall and others getting close the opportunity for the infield also seems minimal.  That means for now he is a depth player at St. Paul with his future likely with some other organization via either a trade of being DFA'd.

[jorgenswest]

1 hour ago, Cody Pirkl said:

Monday’s roster cuts were a worst-case scenario for Austin Martin and raised some significant questions about his future with the Minnesota Twins. Is his time about to run out?

Absolutely not. He has two options left. As long as he is on the 40 he has a future with the Twins. I agree with the Twins decision to play him everyday in AAA. Julien needs to be in AAA also.

There was a similar article about Larnach in November 2023. He had options. His time hadn’t run out. He starts this year batting clean up.

[Doctor Gast]

Good question, Cody. The answer to that question should be no, because they desperately need his fire, his fit at leadoff & his ability at 2B. But unfortunately, Baldelli doesn't have the same priority as I do where passion is a dirty word & his idea of leadoff is Wallner & they are in love with Julien at 2B. 

Twins have tried to fit Martin in unnatural conditions like SS & completely change his swing & the last 2 years play him in the OF at the highest level. If you ever played baseball & were asked to do something unnatural at a higher level, you have to focus on those unnatural areas; other areas will suffer. That's what is happening with Martin. In '23, when Martin was promoted to AAA, they left him alone. He mainly played his natural position 2B & he thrived.

At 2B, we have Lee, who is 1st in line to sub SS & 3B & who has chronic back problems, and Castro, who is more valuable as utility & both Lee & Lewis are down, which makes him more needed elsewhere. Julien & Gasper are subpar at premium 2B. Keaschal is recovering from TJ & should be taken slow & not rushed & he's not on the 40-man. We need Martin settled at 2B where he can flourish defensively & offensively, create that spark & leadoff. 

Julien should be sent down to AAA to further adjust his hitting & finally learn 1B. Martin isn't needed in the OF so settle him at his natural position 2B where he's more needed. When Keaschal is 100% & is knocking down the AAA door then we'll evaluate the situation if both are capable to dominate 2B at MLB.  But afraid with Baldelli's weird analytics he going to waste more talent & make this team worse.

[DJL44]

It certainly doesn't bode well for him that he can't beat out Mickey Gasper or Dashawn Keirsey for a spot on the roster. If Emmanuel Rodriguez isn't ahead of him for a call-up, he will be very soon. Luke Keaschall is also trying to get that spot in the big leagues.

Stuart Fairchild is freely available to any team that will put him on a major league roster. Is Martin better than Fairchild?

[Fatbat]

Right now he is AAAA good. He needs to be MLB good. The future is up to him. At 26yo, his time hasn’t run out but there are other prospects coming with higher upsides. 

[Rosterman]

 If his outfield play had been just a tad better, there would've been no reason whatsoever for the Twins to go out and get Bader, who is basically the same strength as Martin on the bench, but superior in the field, unless Martin can truly play an infield position.

Martin needs to shine in AAA, show his speed, that he can take pitches, and also play the outfield, which is where he will end up when he leaves the Twins, sadly.

He is younger and probably has mroe oevrall skills than, say, Kiersey, but the Twins choose DeShawn for his speed, ability to maybe play center in a pinch, and he will be an easy remove when Lee or Lewis return.

Sadly, Martin has already been passed on the prospect ladder by Rodriguez and Keuschall and maybe even Jenkins going into next season. With the Twins still having control of Wallner and Larnach.

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

It certainly doesn't bode well for him that he can't beat out Mickey Gasper or Dashawn Keirsey for a spot on the roster. If Emmanuel Rodriguez isn't ahead of him for a call-up, he will be very soon. Luke Keaschall is also trying to get that spot in the big leagues.

Stuart Fairchild is freely available to any team that will put him on a major league roster. Is Martin better than Fairchild?

I think Martin is a fair bit more desirable than Fairchild. Martin's bat is better, he can play infield positions and he has options.

Austin Martin basically what the Twins hoped Willi Castro would be. Versatile, bat limited utility player just good enough to play if you need him. Castro forced his way into every day playing time, but it's very unlikely Martin will be able to do the same.

Martin's career will probably be limited to MiLB invites and shuttling between AAAA/MLB while he has options. He just hasn't demonstrated the defensive instincts necessary to excel in the utility role. I fully expect DaShawn Keirsey will be DFA'd by mid year. Whether or not Martin or Emma replaces him depends entirely on how Emma plays.

[PatPfund]

Two of the most injury prone players on the Twins are Byron Buxton and Harrison Bader. We could all be laughing at this question in 4 weeks (though I sincerely hope we aren't). Martin has a TON to still prove at AAA, and the Twins seem to have FINALLY decided to put his focus on one area, which is great, because bouncing him around the IF/OF has been as productive as when they tried to turn him into Larnach (and wrecked his swing).

The guy is one of the fastest players in the system, he has great plate discipline, he has shown flashes of brilliance defensively (along with the lapses), and as others pointed out, he has options. Plenty of time left on this clock.

[Althebum82]

Yes seems like the right answer to me.

[Fire Dan Gladden]

Probably another candidate for the title "needs a fresh start in another organization".

[Rod Carews Birthday]

He's out of time in this round, but any combination of injury and/or ineffectiveness among those in front of him gives him another shot.  If he takes advantage of that, he'll stick.  If he doesn't, then the process starts over until he's out of options.  Plenty of guys have taken a couple of starts and stops before becoming successful in the majors.  For a recent example see Larnach, Trevor. 

[tony&rodney]

The Twins gave up on Austin Martin when he could not produce home runs with a new batting approach. When was the 3 week period where Martin received regular playing time? Martin switched back in an attempt to find a groove. He has struggled. His time will have to come with another team. He may or may not carve out any time in the majors but he doesn't have a future with the Twins.

The new CBA should be tweaked to prevent teams from sitting on too many players that they do not use at the MLB level. I would suggest the number of option years be reduced. 

[tony&rodney]

7 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

Good question, Cody. The answer to that question should be no, because they desperately need his fire, his fit at leadoff & his ability at 2B. But unfortunately, Baldelli doesn't have the same priority as I do where passion is a dirty word & his idea of leadoff is Wallner & they are in love with Julien at 2B. 

Twins have tried to fit Martin in unnatural conditions like SS & completely change his swing & the last 2 years play him in the OF at the highest level. If you ever played baseball & were asked to do something unnatural at a higher level, you have to focus on those unnatural areas; other areas will suffer. That's what is happening with Martin. In '23, when Martin was promoted to AAA, they left him alone. He mainly played his natural position 2B & he thrived.

At 2B, we have Lee, who is 1st in line to sub SS & 3B & who has chronic back problems, and Castro, who is more valuable as utility & both Lee & Lewis are down, which makes him more needed elsewhere. Julien & Gasper are subpar at premium 2B. Keaschal is recovering from TJ & should be taken slow & not rushed & he's not on the 40-man. We need Martin settled at 2B where he can flourish defensively & offensively, create that spark & leadoff. 

Julien should be sent down to AAA to further adjust his hitting & finally learn 1B. Martin isn't needed in the OF so settle him at his natural position 2B where he's more needed. When Keaschal is 100% & is knocking down the AAA door then we'll evaluate the situation if both are capable to dominate 2B at MLB.  But afraid with Baldelli's weird analytics he going to waste more talent & make this team worse.

Martin has not played much at second base. The Twins will not play Martin there. That reality is pretty much in stone. Opinions contrary to the Twins beliefs are futile. Personally I wish the Twins would trade Martin or release him.

The Twins do not love Julien at all. Three games versus RH pitching and zero at bats should make that clear. Julien is another player the Twins should trade or release. Falvey and Baldelli have their ideas of what kind of player and team they want. When Lee returns, Julien will be sent down unless there is another injury. When a team plays Mickey Gasper above Julien it is clear what they think. Some will wonder, who takes Julien's place? It doesn't matter if the Twins don't have confidence in him. Someone like Prato or Morales would make Baldelli happier. Falvey is afraid to move players, so Julien and Martin have to wait.

While neither Gasper or Julien are good second baseman, it should be fairly noted that neither Castro nor Lee are good at the position either. Castro has a double and a home run thus far, so Willi is the second baseman for the foreseeable future. It is what it is.

 

[Doctor Gast]

56 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Martin has not played much at second base. The Twins will not play Martin there. That reality is pretty much in stone. Opinions contrary to the Twins beliefs are futile. Personally I wish the Twins would trade Martin or release him.

The Twins do not love Julien at all. Three games versus RH pitching and zero at bats should make that clear. Julien is another player the Twins should trade or release. Falvey and Baldelli have their ideas of what kind of player and team they want. When Lee returns, Julien will be sent down unless there is another injury. When a team plays Mickey Gasper above Julien it is clear what they think. Some will wonder, who takes Julien's place? It doesn't matter if the Twins don't have confidence in him. Someone like Prato or Morales would make Baldelli happier. Falvey is afraid to move players, so Julien and Martin have to wait.

While neither Gasper or Julien are good second baseman, it should be fairly noted that neither Castro nor Lee are good at the position either. Castro has a double and a home run thus far, so Willi is the second baseman for the foreseeable future. It is what it is.

 

To reiterate, the fact that Martin has played very little at 2B doesn't mean that he's not good there. It's more that management is spending much of his time trying to force him into something that's not natural for him. Again the year '23, they left him alone & played him more at 2B; he had his best year. 

Both Julien & Ober have been sick. They didn't want to risk Julien looking even worse & dig a hole for him, but Ober, I guess they didn't care. 

We are very thin. Castro is ok ish at 2B, but his value is versatility. If one more person gets hurt, he's off 2B, leaving it open for Julien if he's 100%. I'm not disagreeing with you; I'm disagreeing with how management has mishandled Martin & Julien.

 

[DJL44]

15 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

The Twins do not love Julien at all. Three games versus RH pitching and zero at bats should make that clear.

Apparently, he's been puking sick.