The Next Big Prospect?

A young 19 year old right-handed pitcher with an identity crisis has caused quite a stir in spring training this year for the St. Louis Cardinals. The player - Carlos Martinez or is it Carlos Matias?

Carlos Martinez has a story that few of us in the US can appreicate. He was original signed out of the Dominican Republic by the Red Sox as Carlos Matias. However, his contract was voided when his visa application failed due to the discrepancy of his last name. Martinez’s mother died when he was young and he was raised by his uncle who gave him his surname, Matias. Well, the Dominican government called foul and rejected his visa until he had his name legally changed to his mother’s name of Martinez.

The Red Sox loss was the Cardinals gain as they signed him last year to an impressive $1.5 million signing bonus – a hefty amount for a teenager who doesn’t turn 20 until this September. Standing only 6 feet tall and a 160 pounds, Martinez has an electric arm with his fastball sitting in the mid 90’s but hitting 98-99. During a first look in Jupiter Florida earlier this spring, the Cardinals brass were effusive in their praise. Prior to that, all we had seen were fuzzy video tapes and oh yeah, a 78K/14BB performance over 59 innings in the Dominican Summer league last year.

Am I worried about the durability of a slight 6 foot pitcher? Sure! Today, major league teams are looking for tall projectable 6’ 4” 220 pound guys that have that great downward plane. Thank you Randy Johnson! It’s my one worry about young Manny Bannuels, the Yankees young prospect that is another player causing a stir in Spring Training. He’s 5’ 11” and 155 pounds.

As with all young pitchers, Martinez’s secondary pitches will have to be taught and refined by the Cardinals. Over the past several years, the Cardinals have had a lot of success in grooming young pitchers with a lot of upside. See Adam Wainwright, who really excelled once he was traded from the Braves in 2003 and more recently, the young Shelby Miller.

While we don’t expect Martinez to hit the major leagues anytime soon, guys that can throw in the upper 90’s don’t grow on trees and therefore is a pitcher that fantasy owners in dynasty leagues and deep keeper leagues need to follow this season.