Ernesto Martinez

[Jim French Stepstool]

Among corner INF types, we've witnessed the so-so (at best) MLB debut of Tyler Black, seen occasional waves from the big HR, big K bat (Wes Clarke), followed the tough luck, ball-to-the-face season of Brock Wilkin, seen Mike Boeve hit like the dickens when he was available, and been intrigued by the overall offensive skillset of Luke Adams. Through all this, I must admit Ernesto Martinez has flown under the radar for me. A 6-5, 250lb guy who has put together nice numbers, stolen some bags & even was athletic enough to play a bit of CF is pretty intriguing. I'd love to hear from some of you who have seen much more of Biloxi than I have, what you think of the guy & his ceiling. Thanks!!!

[Joseph Zarr]

We re-signed him to a one year FA deal this past off-season. He will be Rule 5 eligible and free to sign with other clubs if the Brewers don't (1) add him to the 40-Man or (2) come up with some type of enticing Minor League deal re-up (assuming, in this scenario, he isn't scooped in Rule 5). The scary thing with EMJ is he is only really just starting to come into his own. And, saying this, we've now seen prime EMJ complete performance for essentially an entire year and a half running. It would be a major loss if he should sign with another ball club. He has some of the hardest hit balls in the system. What he provides across the infield with his target at 1B can not be overstated - with his full stretch he offers even more wiggle room outside his already massive 6'6" frame. The most exciting thing about the past two years is the free swinging fairly undisciplined A-Ball player has grown up - he is turning into a complete player before our eyes. Whereas Clarke hits for power, Clarke is also very dominant toward lefty splits and strikes out considerably more than EMJ. He also doesn't offer near the defensive upside EMJ does. In an absolutely perfect world the two would journey as a tandem platoon at Triple-A and as future possible Big Leaguers with the Brewers. The Brewers have invested eight years of development capital in EMJ. It would be a real shame if they didn't see the fruits of this shared labor all the way to the finish line. He's absolutely a priority re-sign for me with MLB-level upside given the tremendous growth we've witnessed over the past two seasons. 

[ClosetBrewerFan]

Not promoting Ernesto to AAA this year seems like a sign to me.  I hope I'm wrong, but that can't give him confidence the Brewers see him as a future major leaguer.

[sveumrules]

1 minute ago, ClosetBrewerFan said:

Not promoting Ernesto to AAA this year seems like a sign to me.  I hope I'm wrong, but that can't give him confidence the Brewers see him as a future major leaguer.

I think it was more of a depth issue.

Tyler Black and Wes Clarke played the lions's share of 1B (831 innings) in Nashville which left 396 innings to be split up among Owen Miller, Patrick Dorrian and Noah Campbell.

Especially with Clarke catching zero innings this year and Black not seeing time at other spots until closer to the deadline its just too hard to have three more or less first base only guys.

Martinez also hasn't been this version of Martinez all year long. Thru June 30th he was at 256 PAs of 236/305/397 (108 wRC+) with a 6.6 BB% and 19.1 K%.

Since July 1st its 201 PAs of 349/443/558 (195 wRC+) with an 11.4 BB% and 13.9 K%.

[jay87shot]

I would hate to see him go, 6'6" 250 pound players who can run and field don't come around often. His .832 obp is really impressive considering that league has an average ops somewhere around .650 (I think I remember someone pointing out). It would have been really nice to get him a month or so of AAA work but like sveumrules said there is alot of depth at 1B. 

I really wouldn't be opposed to him getting a shot to be the lefty platoon to 1B with Hoskins, it just is a big jump to make. If I remmeber at one point he was playing a decent CF so he does have some interesting versatility. I am at the very least in favor of a 40 man spot for him. I think he has jumped Wes Clarke in my mind as far as 1st base/bench options long term. Ultimately I like Boeve at 1B more than EMJ for the long term but he has had such an amazing 2nd half and has the high end tools that we need to keep him and at some point give him a chance.

If you look at tools he has 50 hit, 50 in game power/60 potential power, 55 run, 55 field (maybe 60 judging by some of our more in the know minor league scouts here) , not sure on arm but at 1st it doesn't matter much. If he was 23 instead of 25 he probably would be a top 10 organizational prospect. With COVID and other stuff he didn't get to A ball until he was 22 so he really is a less experienced 25 year old prospect who could really be a 30/20, gold glove potential type 1B if things come together just right. I can't imagine we would cut that potential lose.

[harrydalton]

If they keep Bauers on the 40 man and don't protect EMJ they will regret it.

[wiguy94]

Is it confirmed that Ernesto signed a 1 year deal as an MiLB FA last year? Only asking because they way they have slow played him and not promoted him to AAA feels like it would make him far less likely to return in MiLB FA again this offseason. If he signed a 2 year deal letting him stay in AA all season and then starting in AAA with a big league camp invite for 2025 would make sense.

[Jim Goulart]

22 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

Is it confirmed that Ernesto signed a 1 year deal as an MiLB FA last year? 

Yes, 100% confirmed, one-year deal for 2024.

 

[Outlander]

With the Shuckers season about over would give Martinez a look the final week of the season since in reality the Brewers are not playing for much of anything. They can then keep him if they see something they like or DFA if they don't feel he is deserving of a 40 man spot, which is basically the equivalent of losing him to minor league free agency. Furthermore, if he showed anything he could also grab the 14th position player spot on the playoff roster currently being occupied by one of Collins/Hicklen/Capra/Black.