Drafted in the 29th round (876th overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2007.
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Martin earned all-Pacific Coast Conference honors in each of his two seasons at San Diego Mesa JC, then turned in two more solid years at Texas Tech. His modest size and tools helped him fall to the 29th round in 2007, but he has shown intriguing power since signing for $1,000. In his pro debut, he ranked second in the Appalachian League with 10 homers, and he followed up by hitting nine in only 190 at-bats as a utility infielder in low Class A in 2008. He was held back in extended spring until late May, and he struggled to get at-bats on a team that had Mike Moustakas, Johnny Giavotella and Jason Taylor in the infield. As a result, the Royals sent Martin to Hawaii Winter Baseball, where he emerged as a prospect. He tied former Texas Tech teammate Roger Kieschnick for the HWB lead with six homers, and he ranked second with 12 doubles and fourth with a .518 slugging percentage. Martin generates good bat speed and has a sound swing, and the ball jumps off his bat in surprising fashion for someone his size. He's too aggressive and will have to be more patient as he advances through the minors, and he has struggled to make consistent contact at times. Defensively, Martin's hands grade out as average, though his arm and range may be a tick short for shortstop. He fits better defensively at second or third base, but he's still a little raw at second because he's not accustomed to playing on that side of the bag. He has the power and defensive profile to be a big league utilityman and needs to be tested in 2009, either at high Class A or Double-A, as a 24-year-old.
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