7. Keyner Martinez RHP. DOB: 8/16/2004. 6' 1", 165 lbs. Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2026.
2025(ACL): 3-1, 1.90, 47.1 IP, 12.74 K/9, 1.90 BB/9, 1.28 GB/FB.
2025(A): 2-1, 2.86, 22 IP, 12.27 K/9, 4.50 BB/9, 1.65 GB/FB.
When Baseball America says you have the best fastball and best slider in the organization, how can you not be the top pitching prospect? Martinez was a "pop-up" pitching prospect in 2025, dominated two levels and enters 2026 with big expectations. The only issue with him is the pesky Rule 5 Draft. Since he was 19 years old when he signed in 2023 he is eligible after 4 years. He did not pitch in 2023 but that still counted as a year of service time so he's eligible at the end of this season. If he remains healthy and continues to show premium stuff, The Giants will have to burn a 40-man roster spot to protect him. Not that it's never been done but the Giants in recent years have been loathe to spend a roster spot on prospects who are still 2-3 years away. If the stuff is for real, they might want to be aggressive with him, push him to A+ with the goal of having him finish the season in at least AA.
is his trade value impacted by being Rule 5 eligible?
ReplyDeleteThat's a complex dynamic. I would say any encumbrance on a player's status has some impact on their value. There are several reasons why it would be best for the Giants to not trade him at this time.
DeleteWith the clock ticking on Keyner and the big league closer position still uncertain might it behoove the Giants to take a look at Martinez in a relief role in the minors? Seems like he certainly has the stuff to be a closer.
ReplyDeleteHe might be able to move faster as a reliever. I would keep working him in a starter role for now. Adding once he is added to the 40-man roster they still have 3 years of options to continue developing him and they can move him to a reliever role at any time.
DeleteI concur. Keep the talented kids pitching as starters as long as possible, they need the reps. If he overwhelms or underwhelms, the 40 man issue will be moot. If he just whelms, convert to RP and thunder run him through AA and AAA- He could be bullpen available by fall 27. /PH
DeleteFor them not to burn a 40-man roster spot, wouldn't it be better if he spent most of the second half of 2026 on the big league club? I just don't understand why a talented pitcher with two dominating pitches has to be regulated to the minors. This kid can learn new pitches and how to work hitters over time ... same with Bednar. With the way the Giants' bullpen looks entering the season, do we really have any better arms?
ReplyDeleteHistorically the jump from A ball to the majors is too much to ask, even for very talented pitchers but if he comes out shoving to start the season I could see him becoming a fast mover.
DeleteIs 4.50 BB/9 a concern?
ReplyDeleteProbably not. It's a small sample. If you take out his final game of the season it goes down to 3.27. It will be a concern if it continues this season in a larger sample size.
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