Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 35 | Run: 60 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 45
Regarded by many as the top defensive shortstop in the 2015 Draft, Martin signed for $1.95 million after the A's selected him with the No. 20 overall pick. Knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus sidelined Martin early in his first full season, and he produced uneven results at the plate during the next two years before requiring another offseason knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Returning to Double-A in 2018, Martin's bat finally came to life, as he established career highs in most offensive categories, highlighted by a .300 average that was third among Texas League hitters. The A's opted to leave Martin off the 40-man roster, though, and the Orioles took him with first pick of the Rule 5 Draft in December.
Martin's progress at the plate in '18 was a product of him making harder contact and driving the ball more consistently, albeit with still too many ground balls. He shows good bat-to-ball skills, doesn't strike out much and reaches base at a solid clip. He'll never hit for much power, but there's enough pop in his right-handed bat for him to be a consistent source of extra-base hits. He's a good baserunner, too, with plus speed that makes him an effective basestealer. Those wheels give him plenty of range at shortstop, and scouts rave about his first-step quickness and instincts at the position. Martin's plus arm enables him to make highlight-reel plays, and he's also capable of getting rid of the ball quickly while on the move, without sacrificing any accuracy.
Martin's slick defense and solid tools point to a realistic floor of a utility infielder at the highest level, though the Orioles see a player with more potential to unlock, with the upside of an everyday player. With a solid showing during Spring Training, Martin could open 2019 as Baltimore's starting shortstop. Statcast - Batting Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2019 1229 206 5 2.4 80.5 7.2 .216 .302 .252 .250 .308 25.2 26.9 4.5 ALL 1229 206 5 2.4 80.5 7.2 .216 .302 .252 .250 .308 25.2 26.9 4.5 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Transactions Team Date Transaction 12/13/2018 Baltimore Orioles claimed SS Richie Martin off waivers from Midland RockHounds. 04/19/2018 Midland RockHounds activated SS Richie Martin from the 7-day disabled list. 04/05/2018 SS Richie Martin assigned to Midland RockHounds from Stockton Ports. 03/21/2018 SS Richie Martin assigned to Oakland Athletics. 09/26/2017 Stockton Ports activated SS Richie Martin from the 7-day disabled list. 08/31/2017 Stockton Ports placed SS Richie Martin on the 7-day disabled list. 08/01/2017 SS Richie Martin assigned to Stockton Ports from Midland RockHounds. 06/16/2017 Midland RockHounds activated SS Richie Martin from the 7-day disabled list. 05/31/2017 Midland RockHounds placed SS Richie Martin on the 7-day disabled list. 12/01/2016 Oakland Athletics invited non-roster SS Richie Martin to spring training. 09/02/2016 SS Richie Martin assigned to Midland RockHounds from Stockton Ports. 05/23/2016 SS Richie Martin assigned to Stockton Ports from Vermont Lake Monsters. 02/10/2016 Oakland Athletics invited non-roster SS Richie Martin to spring training. 07/02/2015 SS Richie Martin assigned to Vermont Lake Monsters. 06/30/2015 Oakland Athletics signed SS Richie Martin.
