(I’m indisposed with work and home buying activities. Apologies for spotting posting lately.)
Carlos Martinez threw in Jupiter on Saturday. Joe Strauss has a quick historical synopsis at the P-D. Some fun quotes at the end:
But even before Martinez took the mound, Mozeliak saw the new man in camp throwing in the outfield and uttered “wow.”"These kind of days are always great,” Mozeliak said. “It’s a little bit like the anticipation before Christmas.”
There’s also some (limited) video of Martinez from Saturday via the Cardinals homepage.
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Was wondering when you guys were going to post this, good stuff for sure.
Wow, his arm is pretty live. He looked pretty nervous.
The article said that one occasion the pitching coach had to stop him and tell him to slow down. By all accounts he was very nervous which can be expected. he will be fine. As a point of reference on size I believe its Seth Blair next to him on the right.
He was really short arming those throws. How big is this kid, he has massive forearms.
He’s only like 6’0 I think
Related: A tweet from Keith Law:
“Carlos Martinez, Nick Castellanos. RT @consigliari51: @keithlaw Who is this yr’s Trout? (non-top 25 who jumps into top 10)”
http://twitter.com/#!/keithlaw/status/42457343664996352
The catcher was jumping around all over the place in the video, trying to flag down pitches that weren’t anywhere near where they were supposed to be. Nerves? Early-spring routine? Or signs of a control problem?
Every report said it was nerves he was to amped up especially on the change ups. He only walked 14 in 56 innings in the DSL. You would have to think if he didnt have control DSL players wouldnt be swinging at the pitch especially with it coming in so fast.
I’d think the opposite. It’s the DSL, not an advanced league. I’d say players are more likely to swing because that is one of their tickets to the states.
If someone is seeing 99 mph heat for the first time, do you think they will be lettin gthe wood loose or maybe hesistant a bit.
watch once (maybe) and then swinging … they aren’t going to make the jump by watching it go by them every time. I’m not saying Martinez is not a great prospect, but DSL stats do not mean as much as stateside stats. Lets see the same K/BB rate in A ball and it means something.
yea but every report we have so far is that he has good control. Not need to doubt that based on 2 pitches we have seen on a video.
I’m not basing anything on the video (didn’t even watch yet). Just saying that you shouldn’t count on DSL stats. I want to see the same K/BB rate stateside with more advanced hitters before I say anything about his control.
Makes sense but if the guy seems to be able to place a ball where he wants to you can reason that his control is above average. Should be interested to see in person.
Following up on his Tweet, Keith Law posted an article listing six players who could potentially jump into his top ten prospects for next year, and Carlos Martinez was indeed one of them. It’s Insider, but here’s an excerpt:
“Martinez has four pitches, two already plus in the fastball (up to 98) and curveball, and a good chance for a third plus offering in the changeup…If he’s not in the Top 10 next year, it won’t likely be due to his performance in 2011, but perhaps to questions over whether he’s built to handle 200 innings a year.”
Sounds like if he can prove himself to be durable, the sky is the limit with him.
Thanks, good information.
I’m assuming he will follow the same program as Miller did last year.
If he and Miller both develop into the prospects that they are projected to be, we have some real promise. Now we need some bats!
Matthew Adams getting up to AA and producing like last year would help this….
Also, Oscar Taveras is one to watch to, if he can get to high A this year that would be huge.
Interesting that national people are starting to talk about Martinez now. Law seems to be getting on the Martinez bandwagon big time. Anyone know where we can find his Cardinals top 10?