- 2023 stats: 10 G, 10 IP, 12.60 ERA, 6.96 FIP, 2.40 WHIP, 1.27 SO/BB (12.6 Okay/9, 9.9 BB/9), 36 ERA+, -0.5 bWAR.
- Date of delivery: July 30, 2001 (22 years old)
- 2023 earnings: $116,130 (through Spotrac)
- 2024 standing: On 40-man roster, Pre-Arb., 2 choices remaining.
Introduction
If fan hype may guarantee you a roster spot in the beginning of the season, then Justin Martinez would have turn into a slam dunk entry on the Opening Day roster.
“Justin Martinez is pretty awesome too, that is heat esquire he launches. I can see why they protected him. If it weren’t for the lack of AAA experience I’m sure he’d be a lock for this year’s bullpen on opening day.” – DBacksEurope in an AZSnakePit Round Table on March 13, 2023 when requested about “Pick a player who has stood out during Spring”
“Justin Martinez by far. Seems like every time he’s pitching, my Twitter timeline is blowing up with people talking about how hard he is throwing.” – ISH95 in an AZSnakePit Round Table on March 13, 2023 when requested about “Pick a player who has stood out during Spring”
While we had been nonetheless a bit conservative on this website, on different websites commenters had been much less reserved. ISH95 mentions Twitter, however on MLBTR you may additionally discover voices that had been satisfied Justin Martinez deserved to be a part of the energetic roster.
You actually can’t blame the followers. It is difficult to not be enthusiastic about Justin Martinez and his triple digit fastball contemplating the quantity of sentimental tossers we’ve got had within the bullpen the final…10 years? Except for a little bit of Yoan Lopez we’ve got disappointingly seen Mike Hazen move on flame throwers whereas each different self-respecting prime crew at all times have appeared to have a minimum of one in all them within the bullpen.
Looking again, Justin Martinez didn’t want a lot time to determine himself throughout the checklist of the higher prospects in Arizona. The Dominican native was a really low-profile worldwide signing in 2018. He didn’t signal till March 2018 and did so for what might be a minimal quantity: 50k. It is perhaps that almost all groups didn’t have the child from Bonao on their radar, as a result of he had apparently simply transformed to pitching proper earlier than being signed. That was apparent in his first season within the Dominican Summer league the place he struggled to a 7.57 ERA, permitting extra walks than reaching strikeouts.
But in 2019 he almost doubled his strikeout fee within the Dominicana with a 12.2 Okay/9. He discovered himself quickly abroad within the advanced league and even received a style of extra seasoned ball in Missoula. In 2020 he was at educational camp the place he apparently confirmed his 2019 development and in 2021 he unanimously hits the prospect lists within the USA.
In 2021 Justin Martinez begins the season in Visalia with blended outcomes and after simply 7 appearances he’s set for TJ surgical procedure, wiping out his complete season. He returns to motion mid 2022, as a reliever, and is assigned to Hillsboro, however ends the season with a handful appearances in each Amarillo and Reno. The 14.7 Okay/9 in 2022 is spectacular, but additionally mixed with a 5.2 BB/9. However, the fastball velocity continues to be there, which might be the perfect information after coming back from TJ.
That superior velocity is showcased in Spring Training 2023, however with simply 38.0 innings below his belt in 2022, the 21-year old might be greatest off with a bit extra seasoning at Reno.
2023 assessment
When Justin Martinez was referred to as as much as the most important leagues on June 27, there was clearly some vibe due to the triple digit fastball. At that second his ERA may need been frowned upon, however information retailers appropriately identified that it was closely skewed by the primary 5 appearances of the season in Reno, by which he gave up 12 runs in 4.2 innings, walking 11 batters as nicely. A wild, wild starting of the season.
In the next 23.1 innings, earlier than his first call-up, he had allowed simply 3 runs and no homeruns, though with 16 base-on-balls he was removed from being impeccable.
That stretch of success additionally gave a bit extra perception within the pitcher Martinez is: regardless of the warmth he brings, the fastball isn’t a pitch that blows batters away. In these 23.1 innings in Reno he achieved a 65% floor ball share, whereas the strikes trying and swinging barely handed the 15%.
2022 noticed him develop a really highly-valued splitter, that FanGraphs has ranked as 60/70. Indeed, he was extremely efficient with that splitter within the MLB, limiting batters to only .083. Another good secondary providing was his slider, not valued that nicely by watchers, however profitable within the majors, with a .167 batting common in opposition to. He received a whiff-percentage of, extra and fewer, 50% on each of them.
The downside within the majors was precisely that triple digit fastball. When situated nicely and mixed with the secondary stuff, Justin Martinez had no troubles and getting batters out. We noticed some nice examples of what his well-located fastball is ready to accomplish.
But, then again, when his fastball was off, batters had no troubles in ready for both the walk …
… or the meatball.
His fastball had a surprising .440 batting common in opposition to with a .760 slugging share. That completely wipes out the preliminary excitingness of Martinez changing into the primary Diamondback rookie to hit over 100mph constantly in his debut.
And so, his leads to the MLB had been moderately salty. After not debuting on the finish of June he was optioned after which referred to as again up every week later. Although most retailers moderately targeted on the rate, his debut wasn’t profitable with 2 runs in opposition to. The subsequent two outings had been “scoreless”, though inherited runners did cross home plate. He wrapped his first stint within the majors up with a 5 run outing in opposition to the Reds, the place Matt McLain hit a grand slam. He was optioned to Reno the next day.
His return in August was comparable, though he began higher with a save and three scoreless appearances till he gave up 2 in opposition to the Rangers and was then demolished as soon as once more by the Reds, giving up 4 runs in 0.1 innings.
Martinez then returned to the majors once more to pitch in October in opposition to the Astros however as soon as once more wasn’t in a position to put up a 0.
2024 outlook
So, it was a whole lot of candy and salt for Justin. Everyone can see the potential, however the greatest factor holding him again proper now are the management points. FanGraphs mentions that Martinez has nearer potential if he can enhance his command. Some have talked about a 60% strike share as a reference. In 2023 he sat at 56% within the majors.
In Yoan Lopez we’ve got an awesome recent instance of how short-lived success might be when you’ve gotten velocity, however not rather more. Yoan threw fairly arduous (96mph), however wasn’t in a position to throw strikes constantly and apparently his fastballs had been too flat. Justin Martinez isn’t that removed from Yoan Lopez together with his fastball high quality and whether or not he can have extra success than him stays to be seen, however the very first thing the right-hander might want to work on is his command. That will likely be fairly the problem, as a result of the observe document isn’t nice, however Justin nonetheless has time on his facet, as he will likely be 22 years old coming into the 2024 season.
Unless he actually exhibits a really a lot improved command in Spring Training, most certainly Justin Martinez begins the season in Reno. His efficiency there this season exhibits he actually doesn’t have an excessive amount of left to do there and he may turn into one other Luis Frías, who hangs a bit between AAA and MLB for a number of years till he enters a now or by no means season. Because of the potential, the Diamondbacks will experience out his choices till he has none left or possibly he turns into a part of a commerce to haul in a extra established piece.
