| Mario Martínez | |
|---|---|
| Seattle Mariners – No. -- | |
| Third baseman | |
| Born: November 13, 1989 Barquisimeto, Venezuela |
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| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
Mario Omar (Mendoza) Martínez (November 13, 1989) is a professional baseball third baseman in the Seattle Mariners organization. He was born in Barquisimeto, Lara State, Venezuela. Martínez was signed on July 3, 2006 by Mariners' scouts Bob Engle and Emilio Carrasquel. He attended Aquiles Mazoa in Venezuela. Martínez throws and bats right-handed.
Although Martínez has never played in Major League Baseball, he has played at multiple levels of minor league baseball. He started his professional career in 2007 at the age of 17. Martínez was named the eight best prospect and the tenth in the Mariners' organization in 2009, and 2010, respectively by Baseball America. Among other accolades, Martínez was named to Baseball America's rookie all-star team, and the Northwest League post-season all-star team.
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Martínez began his professional career with the AZL Mariners of the Arizona League. He batted .281 with 36 runs, 55 hits, 9 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 26 RBIs, 3 stolen bases, 2 caught stealing, and 6 bases on balls. On the team, Martínez was second in at-bats (196), runs, hits, RBIs, and total bases (69); and was tied for third in doubles.[1] On the defensive side, Martínez played the majority of his games at shortstop, but also played third base, and first base. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer stated that Martínez had been seen as a "Carlos Beltran-type talent."[2] The Post-Intelligencer also compared Martínez's skill set to one of a "younger Grady Sizemore."[3]
In 2008, Martínez spent the season with the rookie-level Pulaski Mariners of the Appalachian League. He batted .319 with 80 hits, 15 doubles, 3 triples, 5 home runs, 32 RBIs, and 2 stolen bases in 64 games. Martínez led Pulaski in at-bats (251), runs (43), hits, and triples; and was second in doubles.[4] In the Appalachian League, Martínez was third in hits.[5] Martínez was selected to the Appalachian League all-star team at the end of the season.[6] Martínez was second in the Mariners' organization in batting average.[7] The Seattle Post-Intelligencer ranked Martínez as the 14th best prospect in the Mariners' organization at seasons end.[8] Martínez was selected as the co-Most Valuable Player of the Pulaski Mariners in 2008 with catcher Juan Fuentes.[9] Martínez was also named to Baseball America's rookie all-star team.[10]
Before the 2009 season, Baseball America rated Martínez as the eight best prospect in the Mariners' organization.[11] MLB.com named Martínez as one of 10 Mariners' prospects to "keep an eye on."[12] Martínez started the season with the Class-A Clinton LumberKings, however, on June 23, he was sent to the Class-A Short-Season Everett AquaSox.[13] With the LumberKings, Martínez batted .214 with 20 runs, 49 hits, 13 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, and 24 RBIs in 61 games. After his demotion to the AquaSox, Martínez batted .308 with 45 runs, 93 hits, 20 doubles, 5 triples, 3 home runs, 33 RBIs, and 4 stolen bases in 71 games. He led Everett in at-bats (302), runs, hits, doubles, and triples; and was second in RBIs.[14] Martínez led all of the Northwest League in at-bats, and hits; was tied for second in triples; and was third in doubles.[15]
Martínez played three games with the Seattle Mariners during spring training but did not get a hit.[16] Before the season, Martínez was again named by MLB.com as one of the 10 best prospects in the Mariners' organization.[17] Martínez was also rated as the 10th best prospect in the Mariners' organization by Baseball America.[18] He began the season with the Class-A Clinton LumberKings.[19] During the season, Martínez batted .239 with 51 runs, 105 hits, 22 doubles, three triples, 12 home runs and 66 RBIs in 118 games played.
After the 2009 season, it was noted that the Mariners sought to teach English to their Spanish speaking prospects by using a Rosetta Stone program, and another program conducted by an instructor.[20] Martínez received a certificate in the programs presented to him at an awards ceremony at the end of the 2009 season.[20]
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