Pittsburgh Pirates Top 30 Prospects Season Rewind: Jason Martin

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 06: Jason Martin #51 of the Pittsburgh Pirates singles in the first inning for his first major league hit during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on April 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 06: Jason Martin #51 of the Pittsburgh Pirates singles in the first inning for his first major league hit during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on April 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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Checking in at number 16 on the Pittsburgh Pirates top 30 prospects list is the first member of the list to crack the MLB level in 2019

Outfielder Jason Martin came to the Pittsburgh Pirates in January of 2018 as one of the four players the team received from the Houston Astros in exchange for starting pitcher Gerrit Cole. While many Pirate fans, myself included, have tried to block that trade from their memory, it still happened.

The left-handed hitting Martin was more of a filler piece in the trade as Colin Moran and Joe Musgrove were the two main pieces. After splitting the 2018 season between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis, Martin started the 2019 season with Indy.

Martin would also make his MLB debut in 2019. Bouncing between Triple-A and the MLB level, Martin accumulated 406 plate appearances in 101 games for Indy. He slashed .259/.312/.419 with the Indians, with a 83 wRC+, a .159 ISO, 7.1% walk rate, and a 19.5% strikeout rate.

With the Pirates, Martin had 40 PAs in 20 games. In those 40 PAs he slashed just .250/.325/.306 with a 72 wRC+, 25.0% strikeout rate, 10.0% walk rate, and just two extra base hits.

On September 3rd Martin hurt his shoulder sliding into home plate against the Miami Marlins. Due to this injury, he would miss the remainder of the season. He then had surgery on this shoulder last week, and is now slated to required 4 to 6 months to heal. Due to this, it is possible, if not likely, that he will not be ready for Opening Day.

Martin’s ceiling appears to be that of a fourth outfielder. He can play all three outfield spots, but projects as a league average at best hitter. While he has success in the minors, he has slashed just .242/.297/.383 in 583 at bats at the Triple-A level. Until he shows more offensively, it is tough to expect Martin to be anything more than a bench bat.

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Prior to undergoing shoulder surgery Martin appeared to have a real shot at cracking the Pirates’ Opening Day roster in 2020. However, this surgery will likely impact his ability to be ready for Opening Day. Even if Martin starts the season at the Triple-A level, you can still expect to see him with the Pirates during the 2020 season.