After making his MLB debut a year ago, J.P. Martínez was acquired by the Atlanta Braves during this past offseason via a trade with the Texas Rangers. Now entering his first season with Atlanta, what might the 2024 campaign now include for Martínez?
Atlanta Braves 2024 season preview: OF J.P. Martínez
As mentioned previosuly, Martínez made his MLB debut last season with the Texas Rangers, as the 27-year-old outfielder appeared in 17 games with the eventual World Series champions. Across his 17-game sample size, Martínez slashed a combined .225/.250/.325 with one HR and four RBI, while also owning a 16:2 K:BB ratio offensively.
While he did see time in the big leagues, a majority of Martínez's appearances a year ago actually came at the Triple-A level, where he would slash a combined .298/.418/.543 across 77 total games. One of the better single-seasons of his professional career up to this point, Martínez also hit 14 HR, along with 59 RBI and 38 SB.
At the conclusion of the 2023 season, Martínez was traded to the Braves back on January 26 in a deal that sent right-handed pitcher Tyler Owens to Texas. What impact could he now have with the Braves?
Having entered Spring Training as a name in the conversation for a potential bench spot on the Opening Day roster, Martínez however struggled during his eight games of action offensively, as the outfielder slashed .133/.235/.200 (2-for-15). Because of this, Martínez was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett back on March 8, where he will begin the 2024 season with the Stripers.
Martínez, who is currently on Atlanta's 40-man roster, will likely remain with the Stripers for a majority of the 2024 season, and will be a depth option should the Braves need an outfielder at the MLB level. Should he get called-up as well, then it would likely come in a bench role.
Martinez has strong Opening Day in Gwinnett
At the very least, J.P. is making it known the outfield depth of the Braves could be a strong point in 2024. In the Gwinnett Stripers season opener last night, Martinez hit lead off, and had himself a really strong game.
He went 2-3 with two walks on the night, and both of his hits were tagged pretty hard. The first hit was a first-pitch double to centerfield that just missed going out of the park. In his next AB, Martinez turned on a pitch and sent it over the right field wall for the first Stripers homer of the year.
And now J.P. Martinez adds the first homer of the minor league season pic.twitter.com/i55oD9phqU
— Gaurav (@gvedak) March 29, 2024
If J.P. continues this production, he would almost certainly be the first name called up if an injury were to happen to any of the current outfielders in Atlanta.
J.P. Martínez 2024 Stat Line Prediction: .220/.260/.340, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 4 SB with Atlanta