Javier Martinez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked San Diego Padres #28 prospect in 2005
  With their major league team just 15 miles from the Mexican border, Padres scouts have worked hard in Mexico, and they still believe they found a gem in Martinez, who has been sidetracked by injuries over the last two years. He was plagued by elbow soreness in 2003, while arthroscopic shoulder surgery cost him the entire 2004 season. When healthy, Martinez' total package still reminds scouts of former Padres farmhand Oliver Perez, another find from Mexico whom the Padres traded to the Pirates in the Brian Giles deal. Martinez has four solid pitches. His fastball sits in the low 90s, and his splitter gives batters a different look and has good movement. Both his curveball and changeup have the potential to be plus offerings. Adjusting his mechanics to catch up with his physical maturity led to injuries, but the Padres say he could be on the verge of a breakthrough if he can stay healthy. Martinez made up for lost time by pitching in the Mexican Pacific League over the winter, and will begin the year in high Class A, with a midseason promotion to Double-A in the plans.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #16 prospect in 2004
  Few pitchers in the system have a higher ceiling than Martinez, but he was disappointing enough in 2003 that the Padres didn't protect him on the 40-man roster. A sore elbow shut him down for seven weeks starting in May and again for three weeks at the end of the season. He sometimes throws his splitter too much, and that may have been the culprit. After pitching at 90-95 in 2002, Martinez was down to 86-91 mph last year. He needs to add strength to his lanky frame, which could take his velocity up. His curveball and changeup both are solid pitches, so he doesn't need to mess with the splitter. He has good command and reminds scouts of fellow Mexican Ismael Valdes, who signed with the Padres during the offseason. Martinez' work habits have been questioned and he must show he can bounce back from adversity. He'll try to recapture his promise when he returns to high Class A.
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  Ranked San Diego Padres #11 prospect in 2003
  The Padres believe they may have a righthanded version of Oliver Perez in Martinez, a fellow Mexican. After posting a 6.43 ERA in Rookie ball in 2001, Martinez replaced Cory Stewart in the Fort Wayne rotation last June and nearly cut his ERA in half. He already has a 90-95 mph fastball and backs it up with an improved curveball and solid changeup. His projectable build and loose arm mean that he'll probably add more velocity in the future. Martinez' secondary pitches still need more reliability, but he already has improved his repertoire by not overusing his splitter. His command improved last year, and so did his work habits after he saw Perez get promoted to San Diego. Because he's still just 20, Martinez may return to low Class A in 2003.