A Good Problem to Have: Austin Martin Selected to Return to Triple-A

.226/.294/.371 OPS .665 wRC+ 94.
Bad batting average.
Horrible on base percentage.
Bad slugging percentage.
Below average overall package.

That being one of the best bats the Twins had is not only inaccurate, it isn't a good thing. Martin's great as a league minimum salary backup/utility type. A guy who can plug holes when injuries crop up who prevents the team from having to go out pay millions for guys like Margot. Certainly valuable, but in that 1-2 WAR role player category. Martin isn't the kind of guy you want as a first option on the depth chart at anything other than maybe 2B where his bat might play well enough, and his arm and range might play well enough to put up a 2 WAR season.

I think Martin has an bright future. It was great for Martin to have an earlier than expected opportunity at MLB level so early in season. He did some things well, has some work to do on others. Will be good for Martin to go back to AAA and work on his weaknesses so can have even better results when he returns to MLB.

Personally, I would take Martin over Margot at this point. That could change if Margot starts hitting, but I sure don't see him in CF anymore. Going back down is probably the right move for Martin at this time. He got a taste, now its up to him to try to continue his growth as a ball player.

Is there anybody who wouldn't take Martin over Margot at this point? I think everybody would, and picking up Margot really looks like a horrible move. His sprint speed is a miserable (relative to his historical speed) 26.9 ft/sec this year which means he's just not even an option in CF. Anything below 28.0 ft/sec is a liability in CF, and anything below mid 27s is a huge liability. Margot is officially a corner OF who can't hit at this point. Total debacle for a team which had a tight budget.

Maybe Falvey will swallow his pride and DFA Margot if Larnach keeps hitting a little longer by proving he's able to recognize pitches better. Until then, I suspect Falvey will be unwilling to risk losing depth with some track record.

I am probably low man on Martin as he has never had an 800 OPS season for the Twins even in the minor's.  Without power there is no reason for pitchers to not attack the zone.  Generally the worst he is going to do is single which is the same as a walk so why walk him?  The lack of Barrel's is also a legit concern as you can't get hard contact without barreling it up.  It is a pretty weak batting profile to this point.

Still I was impressed with how well he did do at the MLB level.  HIs K rate was only around 20% so he was still making contact against tougher pitching.  He looked good on the bases and held his own in the field.  For a first time callup he didn't look overwhelmed or out of place in fact he looked like basically the same player at AAA with a lower batting average and OBP which would be expected against better pitching.

I don't have high hopes for Martin, but I do think he can use doubles to get his slugging in the 400 range and if he can increase his batting average he can be 700 to 750 OPS player at the MLB level.  With his speed on the bases that is a valuable utility player. He'll be back and hopefully even better than his first time around.

1 hour ago, chpettit19 said:

 

As much as people aren't going to like to hear it, his inability to hit for any meaningful power had the effect that should've been expected...he couldn't artificially prop up his OBP with walks because pitchers went right at him. His fantastic chase rate (17.1%) didn't mean anything because he faced a well above average percentage of pitches in the zone (52.7%). His inability to impact the baseball (1st percentile barrel%, 25th percentile avg exit velo, 28th percentile xSLG) gives him a really hard path to anything beyond a utility player. Still a useful player, but not the leadoff star many are hoping/expecting he becomes.

The Twins weren't trying to turn him into Giancarlo Stanton in the minors like some like to act like they were. They were trying to turn him into Bo Bichette. He's going to need to hit the ball harder to give himself a real shot at being a quality everyday player. But having him for league minimum instead of someone like Margot for 4 million is a nice option.

Agreed, but let's not forget this is his first time up in the bigs.  He may improve his hard hit rate next time up when he has a better idea of how teams will pitch to him. You're right though, the big problem is he turns a mistake pitch into a single or a double, not a home run. That makes it hard to draw walks since pitcher can go right at you without worrying about being hurt too bad. Hard problem to solve if yo don't hit the ball harder more often.