Jason Martin is an outfielder in the Dodger’s organization that grew up around both baseball, and the Dodgers, 2 parts of his life that have recently reunited. Martin grew up in the LA area going to Dodgers games as a kid and his family loves the Dodgers, so when he became a free agent last winter, he had the chance to make all of their dreams come true and made it happen.
Younger Than You Think
Martin was drafted a while ago, 2013 to be exact, but was only 17 when the Astros selected him in the 8th Round, so although he has been in professional baseball for almost a decade, he is still only 26 years old. Don’t get me wrong, 26 isn’t a spring chicken for someone in AAA, but it’s also not incredibly old either. Having the taste of the MLB, and being so close to getting back, Martin has specific goals for his time in OKC.
I’m just trying to take everything in and polish my game, and also, being a part of this team is great because we have a lot of big league experience. It’s good to be around those guys and see how they handle their business knowing they have so much time in the Big Leagues where I want to be, I just try and pick up bits and pieces here and there.
Pro Ball History
After getting drafted by the Astros in the 8th Round of the 2013 Draft, Martin spent his first several years in the lower levels of Minor League baseball before getting traded to Pittsburgh in 2017. The former 8th Rounder quickly moved his way up the ranks in the Pirates system and made his Major League debut in April of 2019 and did well in his audition hitting .250 in his 36 at-bats. But, although it seemed as if he had positive momentum towards an MLB career with the Bucs, he was optioned 7 different times between that season and 2020, was placed on the IL twice, one being the 60-day IL after he dislocated his shoulder, and was outrighted back to Indianapolis after the 2020 season. Instead of accepting that assignment, however, Martin chose Free Agency and signed with the Texas Rangers.
Last year Martin had 144 at-bats with the Rangers and although he hit just .208, he finished 2021 having hit .350 in his last 40 at-bats. It appeared as if the traveled veteran was finally getting comfortable at the MLB level and was ready to build off the momentum he created at the end of 2021 and stick in the MLB. But, instead, he was designated for assignment and outrighted back to AAA again, and, again, chose Free Agency over the outright assignment. That’s when the Dodgers signed him this past off-season, and that brings us to where he currently is, and that is in AAA OKC, trying to make his way back to the show. So far in OKC things have really clicked for the talented outfielder as Martin is feeling very good at the plate and said that he is just trying to stay consistent.
I’m just trying to stay consistent with my approach and I’m trying to swing at the strikes and let everything else go. It’s allowed me to be more selective and get more pitches I can handle, and it’s been great and I’m just trying to ride this wave out.
Moving Forward
The Dodgers have a very crowded outfield situation up and down their system. LA has Bellinger, Betts, Taylor, and Lux has played some outfield. OKC has Kevin Pillar, Ryan Noda, Drew Avans, Stefen Romero and Zach McKinstry can play outfield as well. Andy Pages, James Outman, Ryan Ward, and Jeren Kendall man the AA Tulsa outfield, and all of those guys have MLB potential and some with a lot. But, despite knowing their would be fierce competition, Martin chose the Dodgers for good reason.
I feel like the Dodgers are the best organization in baseball in the way they get guys to the big leagues and how they get guys to perform at the big league level. Spring Training was awesome being around the Veterans in this organization and seeing how they handle their business. It was a great atmosphere to be in.
So, as his words would suggest, Martin embraces getting to play with and around the greatest players in the world, and in an organization that he considers to be the best. He is happy to be a Dodger, he is having success as a Dodger, and, one day, he’s hoping he gets to come home as a Dodger as well.
