Pittsburgh Pirates: Projecting Team’s Lineup by the End of 2022

CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 08: Ke'Bryan Hayes #13 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits a solo home run in the sixth inning of the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 8, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati defeated Pittsburgh 3-2. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 08: Ke'Bryan Hayes #13 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits a solo home run in the sixth inning of the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 8, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati defeated Pittsburgh 3-2. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
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Mar 1, 2021; Sarasota, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates Mason Martin (80) poses during media day at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: MLB Photos via USA Today Sports
Mar 1, 2021; Sarasota, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates Mason Martin (80) poses during media day at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: MLB Photos via USA Today Sports

First Base – Mason Martin

Mason Martin’s power potential is up there with some of the minor league’s best sluggers. So far this year at Double-A, he’s hitting .255/.329/.537 with 19 home runs, a .367 wOBA, and 128 wRC+ in 334 plate appearances. Martin has put up an outstanding .282 isolated slugging percentage, continuing to show his high-end power potential.

Martin’s game power is seen as a 60-grade tool in the future. Meanwhile, his raw power is in the 70-grade territory. His 6-foot, 220-pound frame helps him generate a ton of power. Martin also blasted 35 home runs in 2019 while having a .304 ISO. Plus he’s also considered an average defender at first base, which is why I have him here over designated hitter.

But to say there aren’t any red flags would be an understatement. Martin strikes out a ton. He currently has a 34.1% strikeout rate. That’s a 4.3% increase from 2019. Usually, he walked enough to at least dampen the blow of such a strikeout rate. However, that hasn’t been the case this year. Although he still has a respectable 8.1% walk rate, it still falls 2.8% short of his 2019 mark. Martin’s hit tool is only a 40-projected tool.

Though there are some concerns surrounding Martin, they’ll at least give him a shot. After all, MLB Pipeline considers him the 7th best first base prospect in the minor leagues. FanGraphs ranks him as their 26th best prospect despite the system is very deep.

Schedule