The city of Boston is all too familiar with big name players failing to meet expectations. Just look at guys like Daisuke, Pablo Sandoval, or Carl Crawford to name a few. The pressure of playing in Boston isn’t for everyone, but J.D. Martinez is looking good.
AN OFFENSIVE DYNAMO
Manager Alex Cora has slotted Martinez in the clean-up spot all season, and it seems to be paying off. His 32 hits through 97 at-bats accumulates to a .330 average, which is good for fourth on the team. Martinez is also leading the Sox with 22 RBI’s. This puts him on pace for 143 by the end of the season. He won’t keep this rate up, but it’s exactly what you want to see out of your cleanup hitter.
He’s been driving in runs, but power is his biggest asset. Martinez is second on the team with five home runs, but it’s only April. He’s a righty at the plate and he’ll send plenty of balls over the Green monster as the season progresses. He’s coming off a career high 45 home run season, and should be able to take full advantage of Fenway Park. This is an area where the Red Sox desperately need help, finishing 27th in the league last season.
Martinez also puts up consistent batting averages. He’s hit over .300 in each of the last two seasons and three times in his seven-year career. Eduardo Nunez was the team’s only .300 hitter in 2017, so Martinez will add some depth on that front as well.
MARTINEZ IS FILLING THE VOID
There will be high expectations during his first year in Boston, but so far J.D. is living up to the hype. He’s a solid all-around hitter and will fill plenty of gaps in the Red Sox lineup. It looks like this might be a golden acquisition for the Sox.
