Drafted in the 10th round (307th overall) by the Baltimore Orioles in 1999.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
Martinez was regarded as a solid defensive catcher coming out of junior college, but the Orioles viewed him as something more after he was named Appalachian League MVP in 2000. His performance was so impressive that the organization considered him its top catching prospect and decided 1997 first-round pick Jayson Werth was expendable. Traded to the Blue Jays for lefthander John Bale, Werth responded with a strong 2001. Martinez, on the other hand, had a disastrous season that raises questions about whether 2000 was a fluke. In his defense, he did have a shoulder injury that bothered him much of the season. Martinez also lost control of the strike zone, raising doubts about his ability to bounce back against quality pitching. His defensive skills remain above-average. He has soft hands and a quick release, and he led the Carolina League last year by erasing 50 percent of basestealers. Martinez has a good mental approach and knows how to take charge of a game. He's a hard worker who will do everything he can to improve. He likely will return to high Class A this year.
Though he was a junior college all-American, Martinez was an unknown when he was drafted and did little to change that in the Gulf Coast League in 1999. He should get attention after his Appalachian League MVP season, though. Defense was Martinez' calling card coming into the season, but his offense got the attention. He's a strong, heady, hard-working player who's considered a throwback by the organization. He has good, quick feet behind the plate and a strong, accurate arm. While he won't always hit as he did in 2000, he does have good command of the strike zone and a chance to be a .300 hitter with decent power. Martinez' catching skills should carry him to the big leagues, but his ability to hit quality pitching as he moves up will determine what kind of impact he has. The Orioles are concerned about lingering shoulder soreness that could require further treatment. After getting eight at-bats at Frederick to end the 2000 season, Martinez should return there to start 2001.
Minor League Top Prospects
The league's batting champ and player of the year, Martinez flirted with .400 for much of the season. The offense was something of a surprise, considering his .237-0-15 showing in the GCL last year. He approached his at-bats with confidence and patience.
Dyer said having Martinez, who caught Rangers farmhand Colby Lewis in junior college, behind the plate was like having an extra coach on the field. He blocked balls well, showed soft hands and a quick release, though his arm strength itself wasn't exceptional.
"Defensively, his ability is close to Double-A already," Princeton manager Edwin Rodriguez said. "I think his catch-and-throw is what's going to carry him."
Best Tools List
Rated Best Hitter for Average in the Baltimore Orioles in 2001
Scouting Reports
The league's batting champ and player of the year, Martinez flirted with .400 for much of the season. The offense was something of a surprise, considering his .237-0-15 showing in the GCL last year. He approached his at-bats with confidence and patience.
Dyer said having Martinez, who caught Rangers farmhand Colby Lewis in junior college, behind the plate was like having an extra coach on the field. He blocked balls well, showed soft hands and a quick release, though his arm strength itself wasn't exceptional.
"Defensively, his ability is close to Double-A already," Princeton manager Edwin Rodriguez said. "I think his catch-and-throw is what's going to carry him."
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