Martin shows some hops, and some hiccups
No. 2 prospect makes two errors in spring debut, but still impresses
Spring training games are all about getting the nerves out, so Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo won’t be putting too much stock in a couple of errors by No. 2 prospect Austin Martin in Monday’s 2-2 tie with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The 21-year-old Martin started at shortstop and hit eighth in the lineup in his Grapefruit League debut, going 0-for-1 with a walk before he was lifted in the top of the fifth and replaced by another prospect, Leonardo Jiminez.
Pirates left-fielder Troy Stokes reached base on a throwing error by Martin in the second inning, and right-fielder Hunter Owen got to first base on a fielding error by the shortstop in the third inning.
“That’s the first time I’ve seen him miss balls like that,” Montoyo said.
It wasn’t all forgettable for Martin, though. He showed some speed on the base paths, stealing second after walking in his first at-bat. And his teammates were taking mental notes when Martin robbed the Pirates’ Wilmer Difo of a hit by nabbing a line drive that came off the bat at 100.8 miles per hour.
“Off the bat I thought, ‘Aw man, that’s trouble,’ ” said righthander Nate Pearson, who was on the mound at the time. “But then I turned around and he’s already coming down with it. I was like, ‘Man, that’s pretty impressive.’ He’s got some ups and
good reflexes, so pretty exciting.”
Montoyo said Martin has looked good during batting practice and workouts to date. The prospect, who could make his major-league debut in 2021, has only been taking ground balls in the infield to date. But Martin has the ability to play in the outfield, too. Montoyo said he will shag some fly balls in the next couple of day. After that, Montoyo may move Martin around the diamond this spring. á In control: Robbie Ray threw 24 strikes on 26 pitches in his first spring outing, giving up one run on a single hit over two innings of work. He needed just eight pitches to get through the first.
“I felt like that’s as good as my command’s been in a while,”
said Ray, who was particularly pleased with his slider, his “strikeout pitch” on the day.
Control will be key for Ray this season, after he surrendered 7.8 walks per nine innings in 2020. How he fares with that challenge could help determine the success of Toronto’s rotation. á Familiar face: He was a fan favourite in Toronto as recently as last year, but Anthony Alford is now competing for a shot as the every day centre-fielder for the Pirates, who claimed the 26-year-old off waivers from the Jays in August. He made an early impression on Monday, hammering a 413-foot home run off Ray in his first appearance against his former team.
“They’re like family, but to get out there and compete against them was a lot of fun,” Alford told reporters.
The question, as always with Alford, will be health. He was often injured after he was selected by the Jays in the third round of the 2012 draft, and managed only five games for the Pirates in 2020 before suffering a season-ending fractured right elbow that required surgery. á Springing Springer: All eyes will be on Toronto’s designated hitter on Tuesday in Dunedin, as George Springer makes his Jays debut against the Phillies. Springer, who will wear No. 4 on his back, will ease into regular playing time, getting some at-bats before his work in centre begins.
Montoyo said Springer’s second Grapefruit League appearance could see him playing in the field.
First pitch goes at 1:07 p.m.