Has Austin Martin Been Exposed?

[DJL44]

5 hours ago, knothole61 said:

Ah, the former Twin for a few hours! Yeah, he cost the Blue Jays the World Series (and me $1,000) last season by sliding and not running through home plate. So, no thanks!   

It would be so much worse if the Twins were within a game of winning the World Series, right?

[Major League Ready]

18 hours ago, Taildragger8791 said:

It's an empty average with zero power. On BR I'm seeing his current line is .236/.302/.302 against righties.

I seriously doubt there is even one person that comes to this site that does not understand the futility in using a player's BA alone to measure their performance.  The only reason to isolate that particular stat is to support a preferred narrative.  The 604 OPS is much more indicative of his offensive value.

[dxpavelka]

"What if he's simply an extremely valuable platoon bat who thrives against left-handed pitching but struggles to provide the same production against righties?"  So the question is:  "What if he is something the team has been desperately seeking for years?  I'm in.

[dxpavelka]

20 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

It's a team of platoon guys so he fits right in.

Damn few of whom can hit left handed pitching.

[dxpavelka]

15 hours ago, Brandon said:

On the plus side eventually Martin will be moved to backup and Outman will be out the door and we start bringing up the Rookies (Fedko, Gonzales, Jenkins, and ERod). Or we can bring Wallner back for a last shot.  We have options.  

Please be the rookies rather than Wallner.

[Trov]

Hitting is constantly about adjusting to how you are pitched.  Some hitters adjust fasters than others.  Pitchers will continue to do the same thing over and over until you show them it will not work.  I remember Buck for years would chase every slider low and away.  Most of the time they were never close.  Many at bats it was 3 in a row.  I am sure in his head he kept thinking this will be that fast ball for the strike, but another slider. 

He finally started to just stay of anything low and away, for the most part, knowing that he is not likely to do much with the fastball there either. Martin will just have to start taking those breaking balls more.  Very few hitters can cover every zone and do it well.  Most hitters need to have a plan and attack when they get the pitch they want.  

[DocBauer]

To be clear, I've been hopeful for Martin for some time. I was pleasantly surprised by how well he improved in 2025 with his bat and glove. I think he might have been up sooner last season if it wasn't for injury that slowed him down. He finished strong and his early 2026 demanded he get more of a full time role, especially with Wallner struggling, and injuries to Roden and other prospects.

No, a couple weeks of poor hitting doesn't necessarily mean he's been EXPOSED. At least, not completely. But the long standing debate about a lack of power, or even just XB POP, is coming home to being accurate. Pitchers aren't really afraid of him, but appreciate his zone control, and are attacking him differently. He recognizes that, which is a good thing. Now, he has to learn how to adjust. Hitting about league AVG against RHP is NOT a poor bat. But with little power, and a game built on speed and hustle, he should be batting 9th against RHP to provide a "leadoff" type hitter for Buxton. 

He's got a role on this team with improved defense, speed, and contact and OB ability. But not only does he need to be hitting in a spot that makes sense, but his future "fit" is in question in regard to the OF talent behind him. He IS a ML player. And he's not a bad ballplayer.  And he can help the Twins in 2026...#9 against RHP, higher against LHP...but he might not be a good fit in 2027 depending on injury recovery and development of other prospects. But he's absolutely not DONE as a ML player and 2026 Twins contributor. 

[ashbury]

15 hours ago, h2oface said:

Matt Martin.