Michael Martinez
From BR Bullpen
Michael Gabriel Martinez Tiburcio
- Bats Both, Throws Right
- Height 5' 9", Weight 145 lb.
- Born September 16, 1982 in Santo Domingo Dominican Republic
[edit] Biographical Information
Infielder Michael Martinez is currently in the Philadelphia Phillies system. He made his major league debut with the team as a centerfielder in 2011
He began in the Washington Nationals organization, commencing his professional career in 2006. That year, he played for the Vermont Lake Monsters, Savannah Sand Gnats and Potomac Nationals, hitting a combined .264 with 11 stolen bases in 82 games. In 2007, he played for the Hagerstown Suns and hit .250 with 13 stolen bases in 115 games. With Potomac in 2008, Martinez hit .266 with 25 stolen bases in 104 games. He played for Potomac and the Harrisburg Senators in 2009, posting a .259 batting average with 10 steals. In 2010, he played for Harrisburg and the Syracuse Chiefs, hitting a combined .272 with 11 home runs and 23 stolen bases.
He was selected by the Phillies from the Nationals in the 2010 Rule V Draft and made the team out of spring training in 2011. Unlike many Rule V draftees, he got meaningful playing time and showed promise, even though his batting average was only .196 in 88 games. He played 6 different positions (all three outfield spots, as well as second base, third base and shortstop), fielding each one well; he showed a bit of power with 10 extra-base hits in 209 at-bats and stole three bases without being caught. While his OPS+ was well below average at 48, the Phillies had not expected much from his bat since he should have been playing in AA or AAA under normal circumstances, and not in the majors. The extensive playing time he received with a very strong team was a signal of the high regard in which he was held. In 2012, he suffered a major setback when he broke his foot in spring training, being hit by a pitch from Baltimore Orioles reliever Jim Johnson on March 20th. It was particularly damaging since there was an open spot for him to claim in the line-up at second base, because Chase Utley was out of action with tendinitis in his knees.
