Oct 28, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Boston Red Sox outfielder J.D. Martinez (right) watches his solo home run off of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) in the seventh inning in game five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium. Photo Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
J.D. Martinez, OF/DH, Boston Red Sox
2018: Although a mile off his insane homer pace of 2017, Martinez swatted 43 homers entrenched in Boston’s juggernaut lineup. His 111 runs, 130 RBIs, .330 average and six stolen bases all represented career bests, and his 13.1-percent swinging-strike rate was his lowest since 2013. Since the start of 2017, Martinez has hit a home run every 11.4 at-bats — best in baseball among full-time players.
Forecast: Of concern is Martinez’s 34-percent fl y-ball rate, his lowest since 2013. Offsetting this concern is Martinez’s uncanny ability to clobber the ball and rarely ever pop up. At 31, he could start to show his age soon. Still, most hitters could only dream of a 45-homer, .300-average ceiling, let alone that being the norm.
2019 Projections: .313 avg., 30 doubles, two triples, 44 home runs, 114 RBIs, 98 runs, four stolen bases.
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