Mario Martinez Stats & Scouting Report

AB	3452
AVG	.267
OBP	.301
SLG	.404
HR	80

Full name Mario Omar Martinez
Born 11/13/1989 in Barquisimeto, Venezuela
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: R / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Signed as a shortstop for $600,000, Martinez outgrew his natural position after his first pro season in 2007. Since moving to third base, he has hit .313 over 553 at-bats in short-season ball the past two years. He paced the short-season Northwest League with 93 hits and ranked third with 20 doubles in 2009, though that came after he flunked the Midwest League during the first three months of the season. Martinez's level swing, all-fields approach and knack for contact should allow him to hit for average. He has cranked five home runs in each of the past two seasons, but his natural strength and the bat speed to turn around high velocity portend at least average power. He's an average runner who figures to slow down as he matures. Martinez already has a big league body, with surprising agility for his size. He ranges well to both sides, has soft hands and shows consistent above-average arm strength. Martinez speaks fluent English, having learned it during his first instructional league, and he mentors and translates for Spanish-speaking teammates. He'll tackle the MWL again in 2010.
Carlos Triunfel and Martinez, the headliners from the Mariners' 2006 international haul, have wasted no time in establishing themselves as prospects. Signed as a shortstop for $600,000, Martinez moved to third base full-time in 2008 and ranked eighth in the Rookie-level Appalachian League in hitting (.319). Martinez has an advanced approach for such a young hitter. He stays inside the ball well and looks to use the opposite field with two strikes. His athleticism, strength and body control suggest he'll develop at least average power, and those attributes already have manifested themselves in his defensive game. He has made a smooth transition to third base, where he displays sure hands to go with plus range and a plus throwing arm. The Mariners rave about his makeup, and he learned English during his first instructional league. Now that Martinez has moved to an infield corner, he'll have to prove he can consistently drive the ball. He's already strong and doesn't have a lot of room for projection, despite his youth. As with most young hitters, his swing can get too long at times and he struggles to recognize quality breaking balls. He's a below-average runner. Martinez had little trouble in adjusting to older competition. Look for more of the same in 2009, when he'll move on to Seattle's new low Class A Clinton affiliate.
The Mariners made a splash on the international market in 2006, signing Martinez and Carlos Triunfel for a combined $1.9 million. Martinez received $600,000, and while he didn't make it to high Class A in his debut, as Triunfel did, he more than held his own in the Arizona League, where he ranked as the No. 10 prospect. He made the game look easy with a sound swing he repeated easily and smooth actions in the field. His 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame leaves scouts plenty of room to project future power potential as Martinez adds strength. Signed as a shortstop, he already has outgrown the position, but he offers soft hands and a strong arm at third base. An aggressive hitter, Martinez can look foolish on one pitch then absolutely crush the next offering. He has plus power potential to all fields and the ball just sounds different off his bat. Martinez is a fluid athlete who runs well, but may lose some speed as he adds strength. The Mariners are encouraged by Martinez' tools, instincts and work habits and probably will push the 18-year-old Wisconsin.

Minor League Top Prospects

At 19 years old, Martinez already has a 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame that would fit into any clubhouse in the big leagues. His game isn't as developed as his physique, however, and he struggled in the low Class A Midwest League for the first three months of the season. Once the Mariners moved him to the more age-appropriate NWL in late June, he thrived, leading the league with 93 hits. Though Martinez hit just five home runs over 531 at-bats between the two levels, he shows power in batting practice and will have game power once he matures. He'll need to improve his approach at the plate, as he chases too many pitches and had a combined 110-22 strikeout-walk ratio, but he also strung together the NWL's longest hitting streak at 21 games. Defensively, Martinez was the best third baseman in the league. He ranges well to both sides, has soft hands and shows off above-average arm strength. He's an average runner and probably will lose a step as he gets strong. A hard worker, Martinez already speaks English well enough to serve as the translator for Everett's other Latin American players.
With an average age of 18.3 years, Pulaski's offense was easily the youngest in the league. The 18-year-old Martinez supplied much of the firepower as part of a promising core of Venezuelans, which also included Noriega, right fielder Jose Rivero and third baseman-turned-catcher Juan Fuentes. Martinez's athleticism, strength and body control make him an offensive threat. He stays inside the ball well and figures to develop above-average power as he matures. His hitting approach is advanced for his age, as he looks to use the opposite field with two strikes, but his swing can get long and his pitch recognition is inconsistent, so he may not hit for a high average. Signed as a shortstop for $600,000 in 2006, Martinez has made a smooth transition to third base, where he displayed sure hands to go with plus range and a plus throwing arm. In fact, managers regarded him as the league's top defender at the hot corner, as he led all third basemen in total chances (170) and assists (130) and ranked second in double plays (11).
The Mariners won the AZL title, beating the Giants in a one-game playoff, and Martinez was a key to their success. He made the game look easy with a sound swing he repeated easily and smooth actions in the field. His 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame leaves scouts plenty of room to project future power potential as Martinez adds strength. Martinez shared shortstop with promising South African import Anthony Phillips and performed better defensively at third base. That may be his future home, particularly if his power develops as projected. He'll have to tone down his aggressiveness for that to happen.