Eddy Martinez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #11 prospect in 2017
  Martinez, a Cuban outfielder, cost the Cubs a $3 million bonus and $3 million more in overage tax. They knew he had athletic ability and speed, but his hitting track record in Cuba was mixed. Young enough to be age-appropriate for the low Class A Midwest League, Martinez dived into the deep end of the cold, raw Midwestern spring in 2016. He passed the test by getting hot in the summer before tiring and fading late. He did show plus athleticism and the best throwing arm in the system. His arm was plus when he signed, and it's now a premium tool that has garnered 70 grades on the 20-80 scouting scale. A plus runner, Martinez can play center field but fits better in right thanks to his arm. His swing has an exaggerated load that produces a long swing and whiffs at pitches in the strike zone. His hand-eye coordination bails him out at times and allows him to make contact on pitches out of the zone. Martinez started to learn from watching video of his at-bats, and he adopted a wider stance and eliminated some pre-pitch movement to get more under control in the box. He draws walks but needs to polish his plate approach. He's ticketed for high Class A Myrtle Beach in 2017.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #28 prospect in 2016
  Martinez is a $3 million lottery ticket for the Cubs, who also may have invested in future Cuban free agents by signing him. Martinez was reported to have signed with the Giants for $2.5 million before the deal went south, perhaps because of the Cubs' late, larger offer. Chicago was already over its 2015- 16 international bonus pool when it signed Martinez in October, so it had to pay 100 percent tax on Martinez. He played in Cuba's Serie Nacional as a teen and also played on Cuban national teams at the 16U level. His Cuban track record shows little home-run power, but he's young enough to add strength to his athletic frame. Martinez's best tool, according to Cubs officials, is his plus speed, and they envision him playing center field. He has above-average arm strength. Martinez signed after instructional league, so the Cubs have to project on his bat, which has shown line-drive pop and contact ability in workouts. He probably will stay behind in extended spring training in 2016 while getting acclimated to the U.S., but should see time in low Class A South Bend before the season is out.