Anastacio Martinez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #31 prospect in 2005
  Martinez made his major league debut in 2004, picking up a victory over the Blue Jays in his first outing, a year after Boston tried to trade him to the Pittsburgh. The Red Sox dealt Brandon Lyon and Martinez for Scott Sauerbeck and Mike Gonzalez, but the Pirates disputed the condition of Lyon's elbow. Boston eventually sent Freddy Sanchez and Gonzalez to Pittsburgh for Jeff Suppan, Lyon and Martinez. While Gonzalez was terrific as a rookie last year, the Red Sox used Lyon in the Curt Schilling trade, so they're not complaining. Considered one of the organization's top starting pitching prospects as recently as three years ago, Martinez struggled in Double-A in 2002 and moved to the bullpen in 2003. He likes to challenge hitters with a 92-95 mph fastball that features boring and sinking action. His hard curveball is a good second pitch when it's on, though he has pretty much scrapped the average changeup he had as a starter. Martinez never has owned consistent command, and he'll stick in the majors if he can find the strike zone more regularly. His conditioning also has been an issue. He's out of options, so if he doesn't stick with the Red Sox in spring training, he'll have to clear waivers before they can send him back to Triple-A Pawtucket.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #12 prospect in 2004
  If the condition of Brandon Lyon's elbow hadn't been disputed, Martinez would be a Pirate. They went to Pittsburgh last July for Scott Sauerbeck and minor league lefty Mike Gonzalez, but when the Pirates insisted Lyon wasn't healthy, the Red Sox gave up top second- base prospect Freddy Sanchez and returned Gonzalez for Jeff Suppan, Lyon and Martinez. After struggling as a starter in Double-A in 2002, Martinez returned to the bullpen last year and had much more success. His fastball sat at 92-95 mph in his new role, and it's an explosive pitch that can sink or bore in the last few feet before it gets to the plate. He has the best curveball in the system, a power breaker that isn't consistent. He had an average changeup early in his career as a starter but got away from throwing it and it isn't what it used to be. Though Martinez is hard to hit, he doesn't throw enough strikes to be trusted as a closer. He's more suited as a sixth- or seventh-inning set-up man. He also has to watch his weight. Martinez pitched well in Triple-A during August and the playoffs, and after returning there to start 2004 he could help Boston in the second half.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #18 prospect in 2003
  Martinez, like Miniel, is another Dominican who fell out of the top 10 because his age jumped two years while his performance declined. He did keep his spot on Boston's 40-man roster, though that wasn't much of an accomplishment considering the team initially protected just 28 players. Martinez routinely got hammered in Double-A as his control deteriorated--he led the Eastern League in walks--and didn't handle adversity well. He succeeded when he had his mechanics in sync and more than one pitch working for him, but that happened infrequently. Martinez dials his fastball up to 95 mph with little effort. At times he'll show a hard curveball, but it's inconsistent, and his changeup has not developed. With his power arm and lack of feel for starting, he's a prime candidate to convert to relieving when he returns to Double-A in 2003.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #9 prospect in 2002
  Martinez had only sporadic success while pitching at Augusta in 1999 and 2000, but he handled the jump to Sarasota well last year. Though he led the Florida State League in losses, he did make 14 quality starts in 24 tries. Boston added him to its 40-man roster in November. His smooth arm action allows Martinez to throw in the low 90s with ease. He tops out in the mid-90s and has reached that level in the late innings. He throws strikes to both sides of the plate and locates his pitches well, getting lots of ground balls. Martinez is still a project, and some scouts see him as a middle reliever because he lacks a consistent offspeed offering. His slurvy breaking ball is a fringe pitch; his changeup is average at best. He'll need to improve one of them to succeed as a starter at the upper levels. The Red Sox will move Martinez to Double-A in 2002 and hope he can round out his repertoire. He has the fastball to be effective out of the bullpen, but they'd love for him to be able to stay in the rotation.