Austin Martin Has Solidified Himself as an Integral Member of 2026 Minnesota Twins

[Cody Schoenmann]

Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Acquired alongside Simeon Woods Richardson in the blockbuster 2021 trade that sent frontline starting pitcher José Berríos to the Toronto Blue Jays, Austin Martin has long been an anomaly within the Minnesota Twins organization. Drafted fifth overall in the 2020 MLB Amateur Draft out of the University of Vanderbilt, the famed "Vandy Boy" was tabbed by many to quickly become an above-average MLB regular. FanGraphs's Eric Longenhagen tagged the first round selection with a 55 Future Value (FV) grade upon his selection.

Five seasons into his professional career, however, the now-26-year-old has yet to live up to his lofty pre-draft expectations. He sports a 99 wRC+ over 356 major-league plate appearances. Yet, his recent performance with Minnesota suggests he could be turning a corner, potentially blossoming into an above-average hitter with ample defensive flexibility. Promoted to the Twins immediately after the 2025 trade deadline's mass exodus, Martin has hit .282/.378/.376, with 24 hits, three doubles, one home run, and a 116 wRC+ over 99 plate appearances.

With a contact-centered profile, Martin has demonstrated meaningful signs of improvement at the plate and an above-average speed profile, resulting in him swiping six bases on nine attempts. While performing 16% better than average at the plate, the right-handed-hitting utility player has also displayed meaningful improvement defensively. He boasts a team-leading 4 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) since rejoining the club on Aug. 1. He also offers positional utility, starting 20 games in left field, 11 in center field, and three at second base.

Being one of the few bright spots on a club that has regressed into one of the worst in baseball, Martin has blossomed into a platoon-proof regular for Minnesota. The 26-year-old has impressed in his first extended opportunity with Minnesota. Barring injury, he will continue to be a staple in the club's lineup during the final three weeks of the season, with the opportunity of maintaining a load-bearing role heading into next season.

If Twins decision-makers elect to part ways with left-handed-hitting corner outfielder Trevor Larnach this offseason, significant playing time would open in the outfield, particularly in left field. As noted earlier, Martin has primarily started in left field this season, meaning he could seamlessly slide in as Larnach's primary replacement early next season. Also, given fellow candidates James Outman and Alan Roden's struggles at the plate since joining Minnesota, Martin has a case to play above either of them.

As the Twins enter a new era with even tighter spending restrictions, Martin has a surprisingly strong chance to stick on the team's 26-man roster for a while. That doesn't necessarily mean he is destined to become a full-time starter at one specific position. Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez are at Triple A. The two young, left-handed-hitting top prospects will make their major-league debuts next season, and could quickly become fixtures in both corner outfield spots, playing alongside franchise cornerstone Byron Buxton.

That being the case, Martin's long-term future with Minnesota will likely be as a super utility player who can play all three outfield positions and second base, similar to the role Willi Castro occupied the previous two and a half seasons. Regardless, Martin has solidified himself as a primary offensive contributor entering next season. The former first-round pick could also become the club's platoon-proof primary left fielder early next season, before potentially transitioning into a long-term utility role upon the arrival of Jenkins, Rodriguez, Kaelen Culpepper, and other top position player prospects.

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[DJL44]

That’s a lot of confidence in 99PA. I’m glad he’s playing better but I think there is more work to do if he wants to be an everyday player.

[JBK]

Okay, but only if he's not allowed to run the bases

[Russ]

More mediocrity 

[Coach Wheels]

4 minutes ago, Russ said:

More mediocrity 

Absolutely!! We solidified a roster spot on a team that will most likely win less than 75 games in 2026.. Not the roster I'd like to see being built but this is who they are now.

[jorgenswest]

My confidence is not just in the 99 major league PAs but it is the profile he showed in the minors. He has a AAA OBP of .419 and corresponding .382 in the majors this year. He has nearly as many walks as strike outs this year. He is a pre-arb right handed batting outfielder with some speed and an ability to play on the infield if needed. Seems like the kind of player many teams could use on the bench. Perhaps some would prefer the Twins continue to pay a veteran right handed bench bat. With veterans you probably wouldn’t get as many mistakes.

[ziggy]

I agree he will have a spot on next years roster.

I also think he lacks the baseball instincts to be a great player, or even a good player.  His routes on fly balls reminds me of Ben Revere, comical and cringe worthy at the same time.

He has 356 plate appearances, the pros say a player needs 1,000 for an accurate assessment, but he rarely squares up the ball or hits the ball on the sweet spot. I'm fine with singles and doubles but he needs to hit .300 if that's the kind of hitter he is. But I don't see a star in the making, just another below average Twin.

[notoriousgod71]

FFS. Aim higher.

[Whitey333]

Martin?  Seriously?  My we sure have fallen as a team and organization.  

[JD-TWINS]

I get that Martin’s Season Totals aren’t great nor what Team needs going forward. Maybe it’s because of the mediocrity on the roster now that surrounds him, but I think he’s playing better baseball! He looks competent in the outfield and he’s much more refined in his approach at the plate (has matured?). He’s not going to be a star but he’s definitely a capable #12-#13 guy on the roster.

I think Gonzalez, with a few more months of progress, probably displaces him next summer but if Martin progresses just a bit more he’ll stick.

To me, Rodriguez is overrated not because he lacks talent to be capable at MLB level but his durability is terrible. Jenkins, to me, isn’t considered to be in the Show until at least June/July. These two guys push Wallner & Larnach to elevate their games or they are pushed aside.

A combination of Martin/Lee are the replacements for Castro, IMO. I’d like a quicker & more athletic SS from our system to take that spot in ‘26 on the regular.

Need a FA 1B! …….Lewis at 3B - (farm system guy at SS) - Keaschall at 2B……..Lee behind all 3 spots.

I still consider Keaschall at 1B & Lee at 2B. Go ahead & sign Castro for 2 years at $9M /yr …….. he’s a know commodity and affordable. So many possibilities if the just spend $140M!!

[stringer bell]

Regarding Martin’s utility, he really isn’t that versatile. He plays left field and could start in center or second base for a day or two. That doesn’t compare with Castro’s six position versatility. The combination of Clemens and Martin might equal Castro.

Martin has hit better since his recall and I will accept that his defense has improved. I’ve seen him make a year’s worth of outs on the bases, so I can’t see him as a base running asset. 

[rdehring]

Will agree with both the article and those criticizing Martin's play.

I see a lot to like from what he can do well, hit for average and get on base with some speed both in the outfield or on the bases.  Unfortunately, as several of you pointed out his running decisions and outfield routes leave a lot to be desired.  Can he get better with experience, certainly.  Will he?  That remains to be seen, although I expect it is likely. 

Like many of you, I expect Larnach to be part of a trade over the winter to bring in a player to fill one of the Twins many holes.  I also don't see Jenkins being at St. Paul much later than May 1, if at all.  So the position the Twins have for Martin is that #13 bench spot who can play several positions reasonably well.  Will he be that player?  

[Woof Bronzer]

If Martin is an integral part of the team we're definitely losing 100 games.  

[Linus]

This is really a stretch. With the bat he has made improvements…..to average He’s a horrible baserunner and below average fielder.  His jumps are poor as are his routes.  His throwing arm is below average. I’m not suggesting he should be released but he has a crap ton to prove. 

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, Cody Schoenmann said:

He boasts a team-leading 4 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) since rejoining the club on Aug. 1.

OAA has him at -1

-2 in CF, +1 in LF and 0 at 2B

It's all based on very small sample sizes. As a utility player he doesn't have much utility.

If the 2026 bench players are Austin Martin, Kody Clemens and Brooks Lee, that would cover the positions they need to cover but the defense would be bad at SS and CF. They could slide Jenkins over to CF when Buxton needs a break, but they don't have a good backup at SS.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

I want Martin to be successful, but while he is improving, he still seems to be prone to really boneheaded play, especially on the basepaths.  To call him a super-utility player in the mould of Willi Castro seems a stretch, as his passable defense is much less than Castro’s more solid D.  He also isn’t the same level of hitter, but admittedly, that could still improve.  At best, he might be Nick Gordon, who was good for about a year and then not so much.  

[Otaknam]

Martin and Clemens have both shown that they have a role with this team, capable of playing multiple positions to fill in as needed. So some positive news in an otherwise lost season. 

[jmlease1]

This is going to be fun. Martin is exactly the kind of player a lot of people around here have been demanding that the Twins get in here for several years, and now that he's here I'm going to sit back and watch as the comments fly picking him apart. It'll be a long run of "I want this kind of player, but not THIS player".

Martin looks like he could be a decent 4th OF to me, with the added bonus of being able to play 2B in a pinch. That's not quite super-utility levels but there's some positional flexibility. He's certainly looked better defensively in the OF, but has a ways to go on his route-running. That said, it's the kind of skill that he should be able to improve on and he has the tools for it. The baserunning has been...inconsistent. Tools are there, but training is not. Considering how bad of a 3B coach Tommy Watkins seems to be...is he getting any help with improvement? The speed is at least there when he should be able to be above average.

Martin is not going to hit for power. That's clearly been scrapped. But he makes a lot of contact, can leg out the occasional swinging bunt, and takes his walks, so there's some viability there, especially if he starts getting plunked with regularity again like he did in the minors. He's showing that he can get on base. But with almost no pop in his bat at all, there's a real limit to his ceiling at the plate.

I'd rather have Martin than Outman or Roden, which seems to be the competition right now. I'd prefer Martin to Clemens and his sub-.300 OPS too. But he should be a bench player, not a starter. He'd fit just fine if the primary starting OF was Buxton, Jenkins, and GG.

[tony&rodney]

Martin could be the 13th position player next season. He is athletic at least.

[Patzky]

2 hours ago, jorgenswest said:

My confidence is not just in the 99 major league PAs but it is the profile he showed in the minors. He has a AAA OBP of .419 and corresponding .382 in the majors this year. He has nearly as many walks as strike outs this year. He is a pre-arb right handed batting outfielder with some speed and an ability to play on the infield if needed. Seems like the kind of player many teams could use on the bench. Perhaps some would prefer the Twins continue to pay a veteran right handed bench bat. With veterans you probably wouldn’t get as many mistakes.

If Martin is the guy worth keeping you no longer need to continue worrying about which of Wallner or Larnach to keep. You trade them both (and dump Outman who has been horrible) and wind up with Martin, Buxton, and Jenkins with Roden, Emmy, McCusker or Gabby as your backups in OF. You asked for the kids you get them.

[Patzky]

17 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

This is going to be fun. Martin is exactly the kind of player a lot of people around here have been demanding that the Twins get in here for several years, and now that he's here I'm going to sit back and watch as the comments fly picking him apart. It'll be a long run of "I want this kind of player, but not THIS player".

Martin looks like he could be a decent 4th OF to me, with the added bonus of being able to play 2B in a pinch. That's not quite super-utility levels but there's some positional flexibility. He's certainly looked better defensively in the OF, but has a ways to go on his route-running. That said, it's the kind of skill that he should be able to improve on and he has the tools for it. The baserunning has been...inconsistent. Tools are there, but training is not. Considering how bad of a 3B coach Tommy Watkins seems to be...is he getting any help with improvement? The speed is at least there when he should be able to be above average.

Martin is not going to hit for power. That's clearly been scrapped. But he makes a lot of contact, can leg out the occasional swinging bunt, and takes his walks, so there's some viability there, especially if he starts getting plunked with regularity again like he did in the minors. He's showing that he can get on base. But with almost no pop in his bat at all, there's a real limit to his ceiling at the plate.

I'd rather have Martin than Outman or Roden, which seems to be the competition right now. I'd prefer Martin to Clemens and his sub-.300 OPS too. But he should be a bench player, not a starter. He'd fit just fine if the primary starting OF was Buxton, Jenkins, and GG.

Trade both Larnach and Wallner.. a Martin Buxton Jenkins outfield with some combo of Rodriguez McCusker Gonzalez and Roden as backups is worth a look. You wanted the kids.. Lee and Lewis will see that nothing is set in stone in the IF as well.

[Patzky]

53 minutes ago, Linus said:

This is really a stretch. With the bat he has made improvements…..to average He’s a horrible baserunner and below average fielder.  His jumps are poor as are his routes.  His throwing arm is below average. I’m not suggesting he should be released but he has a crap ton to prove. 

Wallner with less arm but more contact. 

[Patzky]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

Regarding Martin’s utility, he really isn’t that versatile. He plays left field and could start in center or second base for a day or two. That doesn’t compare with Castro’s six position versatility. The combination of Clemens and Martin might equal Castro.

Martin has hit better since his recall and I will accept that his defense has improved. I’ve seen him make a year’s worth of outs on the bases, so I can’t see him as a base running asset. 

Bringing back Willi might please the fans but honestly there's no place for him as a spendy super utility guy in the Pohlads pocketbook.

[Western SD Fan]

I do find it interesting that Martin has improved as a hitter after he announced that he was changing his swing mechanics back to when he was successful at Vanderbilt.  This result makes me wonder if the current and previous Twins coaches (or maybe from upper management) were expecting things out of Martin that he couldn't deliver, such as trying to make him a 15-20 HR guy.  I suggest upper management mainly based on the fact that Popkins is doing so well with Toronto.

Like many other posters here, I see Martin ahead of Rodon and Outman and likely see Larnach moved during the offseason as well.  You can move Wallner to more of a DH role or in RF when someone else needs to play DH for the day.  For all the people clamoring for Jenkins, I can see the FO playing the service time game, especially when you are going into CBA negotiations where service time is always a contentious subject between the owners and the players. 

[NYCTK]

If the improved defense is real and not just a blip, he's deserving of a roster spot. I'm not particularly hopeful that it's real improvement, but especially with an option year remaining, Austin Martin should be pretty safe on the Twins 40 man roster. 

Interesting to see Martin has been able to get a lot better jumps on the ball this season in comparison to last season, and even compared to other OF familiar to recent Twins fans: 

OF	ft/sec
Buxton	35.1
Taylor	34.9
Bader	34.4
Martin	34.3
Outman	33.9
Roden	33.4
Castro	32.3
Clemens	32.2
Kepler	31.9
Keirsey	31.6
Larnach	31.3
Wallner	30.7

I tend to believe this is more of a small sample anomaly and not an actual indicator of skill, but props to him for showing some evidence of improvement. 

 

[joefish]

Upgrade. I won't miss him.

[jjswol]

The man can hit but on the bases and in the field he is very suspect.

[Doctor Gast]

Twins tried to force him at SS & become a slugger when he 1st came here, that didn't work. Finally, in '23, they left him alone to play mainly 2B; he played well. In '24, they wanted to convert him to a full-time MLB OFer w/o any development & tinker with his swing again.  

Martin is a product of the Twins, constantly trying to make him into someone he isn't, not maximizing on who he is. An OB machine, terror on the bases 2Bman. Again, he's stated that he'll return to his old swing & again he's shown improvement. Leave his swing alone. He's 2Bman that rarely plays there & has adjusted to be a pretty good LFer. Because he's not a slugger yet, people don't give him much worth. But he's still a very good asset to the Twins if he were better assessed, he'd have been a better one. As a baserunner, he'll figure it out, w/o much help from Watkins.

[djvang]

They need to have Paul Molitor teach him how to run the bases. 

[ashbury]

4 hours ago, DJL44 said:

That’s a lot of confidence in 99PA. I’m glad he’s playing better but I think there is more work to do if he wants to be an everyday player.

Hurricane Hazle maintained better numbers than Martin's in 155 plate appearances.  So I'll join you in waiting a bit before declaring Martin integral to anything. (Who writes these headlines? ClickbaitBot2.0? The word "integral" wasn't mentioned in the body of the article.)

He's striking out less and walking more.  Power's about the same as last go-round, which is to say still nearly nothing.  I don't feel confident with his defense anywhere on the field, but the summary on b-r.com is less dire than last year so maybe I'm slow to adjust my perception.  Baserunning is at best a work in progress. He's scored 11 runs this year and driven in 2 so if you extrapolate to 600 PA he's the second coming of Luis Arraez, i.e. not the run-scoring engine you might imagine from the on-base percentage.

All in all, he's earning another chance.  Maybe by the time he's achieved free agency in 2031 he'll have turned himself into an asset. 😀