by Kiley McDaniel

Harold Martinez of Miami’s Braddock High School was the first prospect I saw at the Sarasota Classic and you can find my preliminary thoughts here. His stock is slipping from being in the top 5 among high school players before the season and now he is more of a projection 3B prospect lacking some polish.

Find out the whole story with a full scouting report and video after the jump…

Harold Martinez, 3B, Braddock Bulldogs

Tool - Present/Future Grades

Hitting - 40/45
Power - 50/55
Speed - 45/40
Fielding - 45/50
Arm - 55/55

Physical Description - Wiry strong medium-to-large frame. Thin build throughout, sloped shoulders, athletic look, room for 15 lbs or more of muscle. Long limbs lack definition, skinny calves, strong mid-section drives good hip flexibility. Well-proportioned projectable athlete.

Hitting - Mechanically is sound at the plate, but lacks a plan and ability to make adjustments. Has stiff actions and lacks fluidity.  Doesn’t consistently square the ball up, and struggles recognizing spins and staying balanced.  Tries to pull the ball too much and seems one-dimensional right now, relying on his good bat speed to yank fastballs.  Feasts on fastballs and especially when he can gets his arms extended, but gets frustrated and impatient when pitched around.  Has thump, big frame, and shows flashes, but not nearly often enough.

Power - Has hit for power in the past and hit one HR well over the LCF fence. The hip flex in his swing is a little late and his swing path is level, so it’s pure bat speed and strength creating the power with aluminum. With some weight training, and a more leveraged swing, he could be a big power threat.  Power is inconsistent in game situations with swing-happy approach, though is strong enough to pull pitch on outer third.

Speed - The main reason he’s projected at 3B. He’s somewhat slow-footed given his current frame and defensive prowess.  Slower underway, more of a first step type. Not a base-stealing threat and didn’t get a good look at his baserunning ability, but seems to have good instincts in that area.

Fielding - He is playing shortstop and projects to move to third base due to lack of range and the frame filling out.  The first step is good, the hands are solid, and the actions work on the left side of the infield.  There isn’t a standout defensive tool, everything is at least average, though I saw a couple mental lapses and slower footwork. The tools are there to be solid-average at 3B, but there’s some work to be done.

Arm - Flashes an strong arm from in the hole that’s plenty for 3B and fine for SS with solid on-line carry and accuracy.

Notes -As evidenced from the Hitting/Power sections, there’s a lot to knock about Martinez’s bat, with very good physical tools and a lack of polish.  Scouts told me he’s been cracking under pressure this season and some openly wondered about his makeup.

I’m not too concerned that Martinez will play a professional third base and have the raw power, frame, strength, and bat speed to be a high pick, but the in-game application of those tools leaves a lot to be desired and I can’t see myself wanting to bet much money that he’ll put it together enough to be a big leaguer.

Adjusted Overall Future Potential: 51

Present Group: P, Future Group: D+

Projected Role: Ideally, a solid-average hitting 3B with above-average defense, 6th hitter profile

Draft Projection: 4th-8th Round

Overall Comparison: Upside is taller version of Adrian Beltre, more conservatively Pedro Feliz.