Mason Martin

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #21 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: The Pirates drafted Martin in the 17th round in 2017 based on his prodigious power potential and signed him for an over-slot $350,000 bonus, equivalent to fifthround money. Martin delivered on that promise by hitting 35 home runs across the Class A levels in 2019, winning the organization's minor league player of the year award. The Pirates brought him to their alternate training site in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Martin has plus raw power and can drive the ball out to all fields, including towering home runs to his pull side. The downside to Martin's power is it comes with plenty of strikeouts, raising questions about how much he'll get to it against upper-level pitchers. Martin worked with Triple-A hitting coach Jon Nunnally on developing a better eye at the plate at the alternate site. They focused on setting the top of his zone and recognizing breaking pitches earlier, which will hopefully reduce his strikeouts. Defensively, Martin has improved his fringe-average glove to the point where he's not considered a liability at first base, but his value is mostly derived from his power.
  
  THE FUTURE: Martin is expected to open the year at Double-A. If he shows a more discerning eye, he could jump on to the fast track to the majors.
• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #15 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: An unheralded 17th-round pick in 2017, Martin was a big surprise in his pro debut when he set a GCL Pirates record with 11 home runs in 127 at-bats. He struggled in his full-season debut the following year, but rediscovered his power stroke in 2019 and finished tied for fourth in the minors with 35 home runs while seeing time at both Class A levels. That includes a day when he hit walk-off home runs in both ends of a doubleheader.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Martin is a stout lefthanded masher with plus raw power and a patient approach, but he also strikes out at alarming rates. He can be too selective at times and passes on good pitches early in the count while waiting for a pitch he can crush. This frequently leads to long at-bats and a lot of pitches seen, but also unfavorable counts when he's at the mercy of the pitcher. Martin has worked on being more aggressive earlier in the count but hasn't completely solved the problem. He immediately moved to first base upon being drafted and will be solely reliant on his bat to carry him up the ladder. He's a below-average defender without much speed or athleticism.
  
  THE FUTURE: It's easy to dream of Martin hitting 30-plus home runs per year, but he needs time and a lot of work to get there. His approach will be key to watch in 2020.
• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #18 prospect in 2018
  Martin was the 508th overall pick in the 2017 draft and was committed to Gonzaga, but the Pirates offered $350,000 and acquired the player who had the most impressive summer of any of their 2017 draftees. After hitting .507 as a high school senior, Martin slugged seven home runs in seven July games in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. He came back to earth, but then hit four home runs in the season's final nine games to win MVP honors in the GCL. He showed a simple, efficient lefthanded swing, good feel for the strike zone and the barrel. He also showed easy above-average power. He has wiry strength and could add more power as his body fills out. He doesn't have plus athleticism or speed, and he still has a lot to learn about the fundamentals of playing first base. Because of those deficiencies, Martin may have to start 2018 with a short-season club to get work in extended spring training, but if he learns quickly, he could start the year at low Class A West Virginia.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #312 prospect in 2017 draft
  Martin is a lefthanded-hitting first baseman committed to Gonzaga. He has added 10-15 pounds physically and shown big raw power this spring, as he did last summer in the Area Code Games. His power is his calling card, and some scouts giving him plus raw power with a compact swing. He parlayed that tool into a spot in the Power Showcase in the offseason. While his approach is geared for power more than contact, Martin has some feel for hitting, and scouts who think he can get to his power against pro velocity would be banking on his above-average bat speed. He's a below-average runner who may be able to handle an outfield corner as well down the line.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Florida Complex League #6 prospect in 2017
  While some teams overlooked Martin this year in the draft, he fell to the Pirates in the 17th round and signed for $350,000 instead of going to Gonzaga. He immediately dominated the GCL, leading the league in on-base percentage, slugging and home runs to win MVP honors. Martin's carrying tool is his plus-plus raw power with an approach geared to launch the ball. He has a pull-minded approach but true power to go deep to all fields. Martin can hammer mistakes but he also has quick bat speed and a sound swing that should translate at higher levels, though he did strike out in 25 percent his plate appearances. Martin complements his power with an extremely patient approach, evidenced by his 19 percent walk rate. Martin's offensive game will have to carry him, as he's a limited runner and defender who spent time in the outfield but may ultimately fit best at first base.

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Pirates drafted Martin in the 17th round in 2017 based on his prodigious power potential and signed him for an over-slot $350,000 bonus, equivalent to fifthround money. Martin delivered on that promise by hitting 35 home runs across the Class A levels in 2019, winning the organization's minor league player of the year award. The Pirates brought him to their alternate training site in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Martin has plus raw power and can drive the ball out to all fields, including towering home runs to his pull side. The downside to Martin's power is it comes with plenty of strikeouts, raising questions about how much he'll get to it against upper-level pitchers. Martin worked with Triple-A hitting coach Jon Nunnally on developing a better eye at the plate at the alternate site. They focused on setting the top of his zone and recognizing breaking pitches earlier, which will hopefully reduce his strikeouts. Defensively, Martin has improved his fringe-average glove to the point where he's not considered a liability at first base, but his value is mostly derived from his power.
  
  THE FUTURE: Martin is expected to open the year at Double-A. If he shows a more discerning eye, he could jump on to the fast track to the majors.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Pirates drafted Martin in the 17th round in 2017 based on his prodigious power potential and signed him for an over-slot $350,000 bonus, equivalent to fifthround money. Martin delivered on that promise by hitting 35 home runs across the Class A levels in 2019, winning the organization's minor league player of the year award. The Pirates brought him to their alternate training site in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Martin has plus raw power and can drive the ball out to all fields, including towering home runs to his pull side. The downside to Martin's power is it comes with plenty of strikeouts, raising questions about how much he'll get to it against upper-level pitchers. Martin worked with Triple-A hitting coach Jon Nunnally on developing a better eye at the plate at the alternate site. They focused on setting the top of his zone and recognizing breaking pitches earlier, which will hopefully reduce his strikeouts. Defensively, Martin has improved his fringe-average glove to the point where he's not considered a liability at first base, but his value is mostly derived from his power.
  
  THE FUTURE: Martin is expected to open the year at Double-A. If he shows a more discerning eye, he could jump on to the fast track to the majors.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: An unheralded 17th-round pick in 2017, Martin was a big surprise in his pro debut when he set a GCL Pirates home run record with 11 in 127 at-bats. He struggled in his full-season debut the following year, but rediscovered his power stroke in 2019 and finished tied for fourth in the minors with 35 home runs while seeing time at both Class A levels. That total includes a day when he hit walk-off home runs in both ends of a doubleheader.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Martin is a stout lefthanded masher with plus raw power and a patient approach, but he also strikes out at alarming rates. He can be too selective at times and passes on good pitches early in the count while waiting for a pitch he can crush. This frequently leads to long at-bats and a lot of pitches seen, but also unfavorable counts when he’s at the mercy of the pitcher. Martin has worked on being more aggressive earlier in the count but hasn’t completely solved the problem. He immediately moved to first base upon being drafted and will be solely reliant on his bat to carry him up the ladder. He’s a below-average defender without much speed or athleticism
  
  THE FUTURE: It’s easy to dream of Martin hitting 30-plus home runs per year, but he needs time and a lot of work to get there. His approach will be key to watch in 2020.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: An unheralded 17th-round pick in 2017, Martin was a big surprise in his pro debut when he set a GCL Pirates record with 11 home runs in 127 at-bats. He struggled in his full-season debut the following year, but rediscovered his power stroke in 2019 and finished tied for fourth in the minors with 35 home runs while seeing time at both Class A levels. That includes a day when he hit walk-off home runs in both ends of a doubleheader.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Martin is a stout lefthanded masher with plus raw power and a patient approach, but he also strikes out at alarming rates. He can be too selective at times and passes on good pitches early in the count while waiting for a pitch he can crush. This frequently leads to long at-bats and a lot of pitches seen, but also unfavorable counts when he's at the mercy of the pitcher. Martin has worked on being more aggressive earlier in the count but hasn't completely solved the problem. He immediately moved to first base upon being drafted and will be solely reliant on his bat to carry him up the ladder. He's a below-average defender without much speed or athleticism.
  
  THE FUTURE: It's easy to dream of Martin hitting 30-plus home runs per year, but he needs time and a lot of work to get there. His approach will be key to watch in 2020.