| Player: Maximo Martinez | |||||||||||
| School: USC | Position(s): INF | ||||||||||
| Height: 6’0″ | Weight: 180 lbs. | Bats: Right | Throws: Right | ||||||||
| Summary: In an era of showmanship and expression in college baseball, this Southern Cal. sophomore brings a blue-collar approach to the ballpark. With the combination of high socks and a classic dark leather glove, he fits the description of a defense-first do-it-all infielder. The 6’0” utility man has won himself a starting role and worked his way to the top half of the lineup for the Trojans this season. Martinez was a legitimate pitching prospect not long ago, with a Fastball running up to 94 MPH on the mound. He is still listed as a two-way player on the USC roster. His arm talent allows him to be an asset in the hot corner, where he has spent most of his time in the field this year. He has balanced footwork and is a sure-handed fielder with efficient glove movements and quiet hands that absorb hard contact and short hops. The glove and arm give him the versatility to move around the infield and be a solid defender at SS and 2B as well. The righty has proved he can be a productive bat in the Trojan lineup with a .903 OPS in 25 games played this far on the year. He has also improved on his swing-and-miss and tendency to chase out of the zone this year and created more walks. However, his eagerness to swing can often lead to pop-ups or weak grounders on untimely swing decisions. Martinez does not project for power, relying on a contact-driven approach and the ability to put the ball in play against strikes. He has quieted his load and flattened out his swing path to become a more contact-producing hitter over the years. He is a well-rounded ballplayer who could benefit from adding size and strength as his career goes on. | |||||||||||
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