Philadelphia Phillies utility player Michael Martinez has stepped up in some key situations lately and has made som big contributions. Photo Source: http:phillysportsdaily.com
The Philadelphia Phillies took a lot of crap for keeping Michael Martinez on their roster a month or so ago. When the Phillies were mulling a roster decision at the beginning of June to make room for the returning Shane Victorino, Michael Martinez’s name came up quite a bit on talk radio and in the blogosphere as someone the Phillies should look at dumping. The Phillies kept Michael Martinez on the roster for a couple of reasons really. First of all, he gave them quite a bit of versatility as he is a switch-hitter at the plate and can play any position on the infield or outfield. Secondly and more importantly, the Phillies weren’t quite willing to give up Michael Martinez just yet.
Michael Martinez was selected last year in the Rule 5 Draft by the Phillies. Ostensibly that means he was left off of the 40 man roster of the Washington Nationals and therefore unprotected. The Philadelphia Phillies thought enough of him to steal him away from their division rival. It’s the same way the Phillies wound up with Shane Victorino. Of course, Shane Victorino has blossomed into a perennial Gold Glove winner and a 2 time All Star.
What being selected in the Rule 5 Draft also means, is that the player selected, in this case Michael Martinez, has to be on the 25 man roster of the team that selects him for a full year. The player must stay on the big league roster no matter what. If the club chooses to option the player, he must be offered back to the team he taken from and then clear waivers.
Because of Martinez’s versatility at the plate and in the field, plus the fact that he had caught the eye of a number of Phillies scouts, the Phillies chose to option John Mayberry Jr. to Triple A. Mayberry didn’t need to be offered to anyone and didn’t need to clear waivers. So while many believed at the time the right move would have been to jettison Martinez to the minors, the Phillies didn’t.
Though Martinez was hitting below the Mendoza Line (.187 through the month of June), the Phillies stuck with him. Recently, when Placido Polanco went down, Martinez got an opportunity to play some more. He has made the most of his opportunity.
In 37 at bats in the month of July, Martinez has 11 hits and 3 extra base hits (last night’s GW RBI double, a triple and a 3R HR against the Mets). Martinez has also driven in 11 runs in the month of July and has been solid in the field as well.
To listen to some people, you’d think Martinez is about to be the next NL MVP. While I am not willing to take it anywhere near that kind of talk, it has been enjoyable watching the speedster turn it around and give the Phillies another solid option. Hopefully, we’ll get to see some more of these flashes from the man they are calling “Mini Mart.”
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