J.D. Martinez Stats & Scouting Report

AB	434
AVG	.235
OBP	.32
SLG	.406
HR	16

Full name Julio Daniel Martinez
Born 08/21/1987 in Miami, FL
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Nova Southeastern
Debut 07/30/2011
Drafted in the 20th round (611th overall) by the Houston Astros in 2009.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Nova Southeastern had four players drafted in 2009. The Astros had a strong report on Martinez thanks to area scout Greg Brown, who since has become the Fort Lauderdalebased NAIA school's head coach. Martinez signed for $30,000 as a 20th-round pick, then won the short-season New York-Penn League batting title (.326) in his pro debut. He won the South Atlantic League MVP award after leading the league in hitting (.362), on-base percentage (.433) and slugging (.598), and he ranked second overall in the minors in hits (183) while reaching Double-A. A late bloomer physically, Martinez has added 20 pounds since signing, gaining strength for his unorthodox swing. He gets his front foot down early, lays the bat back and then unloads with good natural timing. Despite the front-foot approach, he recognizes pitches, stays back on breaking balls and squares up good pitches. His flat swing path means much of his power is to the gaps, and he projects to hit 35-40 doubles and 15-20 homers annually. He's capable in right field and has an accurate arm but profiles better in left because he has below-average speed and fringy arm strength. Martinez already has moved quickly and will start 2011 back in Double-A. If Houston finds a taker for Carlos Lee's albatross contract, Martinez could provide a high-energy, low-cost replacement. He profiles as a second-division regular.

Minor League Top Prospects

It was an open casting call for future contributors in Houston this season, so several players who appeared in Corpus Christi also got significant playing time with the Astros. While second baseman Jose Altuve got more attention because he led the minors in hitting and third baseman Jimmy Paredes might have better raw tools, Martinez's bat gives him the best chance to being a contributor when Houston finally returns to respectability. Martinez has been consistently productive as a pro and batted .274/.319/.423 in two months in the majors. Despite an unorthodox swing, he's a pure hitter who has great pitch recognition and stays on the ball well. He's not a masher but should produce average power in addition to plenty of contact, though some scouts think he might have trouble handling quality big league fastballs. Martinez is a fringe-average runner who played in left field almost exclusively this season. He has an average arm and should be an adequate defender, though he still needs work.
When Martinez pounded SAL pitching early in the season, cynics said he was a 22-year-old taking advantage of younger, inexperienced opponents. He never relented, leading the league in hitting (.362), on-base percentage (.433) and slugging (.598), then proceeded to hit .302/.357/.407 after a mid-July promotion to Double-A. The league MVP, Martinez has outstanding pitch recognition and the uncanny ability to make adjustments during at-bats. Linares called him one of the best curveball hitters he ever has seen. Martinez projects to hit for solid average and power, and he's a serviceable outfielder with fringy speed and an accurate arm. "He had as good an approach as anyone I saw in the league," McMillon said. "He drove the ball to all fields and did a real good job of barreling up on his pitch. He knew what he wanted to accomplish when he went to the plate and more often than not, he did it."

Best Tools List

Rated Best Hitter for Average in the Houston Astros in 2011
Rated Best Batting Prospect in the South Atlantic League in 2010

Career Transactions

DH J.D. Martinez elected free agency.
New York Mets activated DH J.D. Martinez from the paternity list.
New York Mets placed DH J.D. Martinez on the paternity list.
New York Mets recalled DH J.D. Martinez from Syracuse Mets.
DH J.D. Martinez assigned to Syracuse Mets from St. Lucie Mets.
St. Lucie Mets activated DH J.D. Martinez.
New York Mets optioned DH J.D. Martinez to Syracuse Mets.
New York Mets optioned DH J.D. Martinez to St. Lucie Mets.
Los Angeles Dodgers activated DH J.D. Martinez from the 10-day injured list.
Los Angeles Dodgers placed DH J.D. Martinez on the 10-day injured list retroactive to April 25, 2023. Lower back tightness.