Mason Martin
Martin with the Indianapolis Indians in 2022
Free agent
First baseman
Born: (1999-06-02) June 2, 1999 (age 24)
Kennewick, Washington
Bats: Left
Throws: Right

Mason Neil Martin (born June 2, 1999) is an American professional baseball first baseman who is a free agent.

Amateur career

Martin attended Southridge High School in Kennewick, Washington, where he played football and baseball.[1] In 2017, his senior year, he hit .507 with five home runs and ten stolen bases.[2] After his senior year, he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 17th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.[3][4] He signed for a $350,000 signing bonus, forgoing his commitment to play college baseball at Gonzaga University.[5]

Professional career

After signing with the Pirates, Martin made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Pirates, slashing .307/.457/.630 with 11 home runs (breaking the GCL Pirates record)[6] and 22 RBIs over 39 games, earning the title of Gulf Coast League Most Valuable Player.[7] Martin began the 2018 season with the West Virginia Power of the Class A South Atlantic League, but was reassigned to the Bristol Pirates of the Rookie-level Appalachian League halfway through the year.[8] Over 104 games between the two teams, he batted .220 with 14 home runs and 58 RBIs. In 2019, he began the year with the Greensboro Grasshoppers of the Class A South Atlantic League (with whom he was named an All-Star) before being promoted to the Bradenton Marauders of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League in July, with whom he finished the season.[9][10][11] Over 131 games, Martin slashed .254/.351/.558 with 35 home runs and 129 RBIs.[12] His 35 home runs were fourth in all of the minor leagues and his 129 RBIs were first.[13] Following the season's end, he was named Pittsburgh's Minor League Player of the Year.[14][15]

Martin did not play a minor league game in 2020 since the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[16] Martin was assigned to the Altoona Curve of the Double-A Northeast for a majority the 2021 season, slashing .242/.318/.481 with 22 home runs, 75 RBIs, and 29 doubles over 112 games.[17] Following the end of Altoona's season in mid-September, he was promoted to the Indianapolis Indians of the Triple-A East, appearing in eight games in which he hit three home runs to end the year.[18] Martin led all Pittsburgh minor leaguers in home runs (25) and runs batted in (81), while also striking out 171 times over 439 at-bats.[19] He returned to the Indians for the 2022 season.[20] Over 134 games, he slashed .210/.287/.410 with 19 home runs, 74 RBIs, and 29 doubles with 194 strikeouts over 481 at-bats.[21] For the 2023 season, Martin played with Altoona and Indianapolis, batting .215 with 18 home runs and 54 RBIs over 97 games.[22] He elected free agency on November 6. [23]

References

  1. ^ "Remember the name Mason Martin – Danny's Diamond Notes". Baseballdotrocks.com. December 18, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  2. ^ "Pirates sign two more players from 2017 Draft | Pittsburgh Pirates". Mlb.com. July 3, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  3. ^ "Southridge High School grad picked up in MLB draft". June 16, 2017.
  4. ^ "Southridge's Mason Martin drafted in 17th round by the Pirates | Tri-City Herald". Archived from the original on 2018-03-15.
  5. ^ "Southridge's Mason Martin signs pro contract with Pittsburgh Pirates | Tri-City Herald". Archived from the original on 2017-07-11.
  6. ^ "Mason Martin sets GCL Pirates home run record | Tri-City Herald". Archived from the original on 2019-09-23.
  7. ^ "Former Southridge standout Mason Martin named GCL MVP | Tri-City Herald". Archived from the original on 2019-09-23.
  8. ^ Dykstra, Sam (June 19, 2019). "Toolshed: Pittsburgh Pirates' Mason Martin back in many ways". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  9. ^ "Hoppers' slugger Mason Martin low pick with high ceiling | Grasshoppers". greensboro.com. 13 May 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  10. ^ "Former Hoppers slugger Mason Martin named to annual Sally League All-Star Team | Grasshoppers". greensboro.com. August 27, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  11. ^ "Hoppers' slugger Mason Martin promoted up minor-league ladder | Grasshoppers". greensboro.com. 8 July 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  12. ^ "Seattle knocks off Bucs".
  13. ^ Toth, Craig (2019-11-26). "Pittsburgh Pirates' Prospect Spotlight: Mason Martin – Sports Illustrated Pittsburgh Pirates News, Analysis and More". Si.com. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  14. ^ "Press release: Marvel, Martin Pirates Minor League Players of Year". MLB.com. September 18, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  15. ^ "James Marvel, Mason Martin receive Pirates' top minor-league honors | TribLIVE.com". triblive.com. September 18, 2019.
  16. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Canceled". 30 June 2020.
  17. ^ "Four story lines to watch now that Pirates' minor league rosters are set". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  18. ^ "Sources: Pirates making several promotions to Class AAA Indianapolis | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette".
  19. ^ "Analysis: Breaking down the Pirates' looming roster decisions | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette".
  20. ^ "Pirates No. 1 Prospect, Oneil Cruz, Headlines Indy's Opening Day Roster".
  21. ^ "Mason Martin Stats, Fantasy & News".
  22. ^ "Mason Martin Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News".
  23. ^ "Transactions".

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