For Braxton Martinez (6-3/205), one of the top high school baseball players in the St. Louis area, narrowing down and finally selecting a college was not an easy task. In the end, the infielder knows he made the correct decision.
"It ultimately came down to where would make me the happiest on the field and in school," Martinez said yesterday in an email interview. "Saint Louis is close to home and I love the city."
Of course it always helps when the program you’re looking at is only one year removed from an Atlantic 10 conference championship (2010).
"The success that took place in 2010 definitely played a role in my decision."
Martinez, who will compete for a starting role at third base, joins five other ballplayers in Darin Hendrickson's recruiting class.
The baseball coach appears excited at the prospect of having Martinez on the roster next spring.
"Braxton is a highly recruited, big, strong corner infielder/pitcher who has plus power," Hendrickson said last November when talking about the class at SLU’s athletics website. The Billikens baseball coach added, "Braxton is expected to provide instant power to our lineup and secure one of the corner infield spots. He could have a real impact as a freshman."
Before he dons his Billikes uniform, Martinez will hear his name called out at the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Martinez ranks as one of the top prep power hitters in the country and already is earning plaudits from various Internet draftnik sites. The Francis Howell North High School product is keenly aware of his status.
"Depending on where I get drafted will play a huge factor in whether or not I begin a pro career," Martinez said. "As of now, I am committed to play at Saint Louis University and will work as hard as possible to be the best player I can be wherever I play."
Although known for his power – in 2011, his 10 home runs tied him for third in the St. Louis area and he was fourth in RBIs with 46 – Martinez did not arrive at Francis Howell North as a polished hitter. However, through many days of diligence his work paid off with a fantastic junior campaign ending with a .522 average, a .574 on-base percentage and a .933 slugging mark.
"The one thing that I really worked at was my hitting," Martinez said. "When I came into North my freshmen year, I was not where I wanted to be hitting wise."
His abilities and approach at the plate were on full display last May against Parkway West, a 16-6 win. His first three at-bats ended with singles before mashing two back-to-back home runs. His stat sheet from the game: five for five with two home runs, three runs scored, six RBIs and a stolen base.
Defensively there is a real rhythm to Martinez’s game. His fluid mechanics coupled with a strong arm project well for his future at the hot corner. "Defense is such an important part of the game and it is something I want to pride myself on," Martinez noted.
Any fan of baseball, and sport for that matter, would appreciate the process that Braxton Martinez went through to get to this point in his career. With his prep career nearing an end, the 2011 St. Louis Post Dispatch All-Metro second team member will find himself once again narrowing down and finally deciding between a collegiate or professional career. Not an easy task, indeed.
"It ultimately came down to where would make me the happiest on the field and in school," Martinez said yesterday in an email interview. "Saint Louis is close to home and I love the city."
Of course it always helps when the program you’re looking at is only one year removed from an Atlantic 10 conference championship (2010).
"The success that took place in 2010 definitely played a role in my decision."
Martinez, who will compete for a starting role at third base, joins five other ballplayers in Darin Hendrickson's recruiting class.
The baseball coach appears excited at the prospect of having Martinez on the roster next spring.
"Braxton is a highly recruited, big, strong corner infielder/pitcher who has plus power," Hendrickson said last November when talking about the class at SLU’s athletics website. The Billikens baseball coach added, "Braxton is expected to provide instant power to our lineup and secure one of the corner infield spots. He could have a real impact as a freshman."
Before he dons his Billikes uniform, Martinez will hear his name called out at the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Martinez ranks as one of the top prep power hitters in the country and already is earning plaudits from various Internet draftnik sites. The Francis Howell North High School product is keenly aware of his status.
"Depending on where I get drafted will play a huge factor in whether or not I begin a pro career," Martinez said. "As of now, I am committed to play at Saint Louis University and will work as hard as possible to be the best player I can be wherever I play."
Although known for his power – in 2011, his 10 home runs tied him for third in the St. Louis area and he was fourth in RBIs with 46 – Martinez did not arrive at Francis Howell North as a polished hitter. However, through many days of diligence his work paid off with a fantastic junior campaign ending with a .522 average, a .574 on-base percentage and a .933 slugging mark.
"The one thing that I really worked at was my hitting," Martinez said. "When I came into North my freshmen year, I was not where I wanted to be hitting wise."
His abilities and approach at the plate were on full display last May against Parkway West, a 16-6 win. His first three at-bats ended with singles before mashing two back-to-back home runs. His stat sheet from the game: five for five with two home runs, three runs scored, six RBIs and a stolen base.
Defensively there is a real rhythm to Martinez’s game. His fluid mechanics coupled with a strong arm project well for his future at the hot corner. "Defense is such an important part of the game and it is something I want to pride myself on," Martinez noted.
Any fan of baseball, and sport for that matter, would appreciate the process that Braxton Martinez went through to get to this point in his career. With his prep career nearing an end, the 2011 St. Louis Post Dispatch All-Metro second team member will find himself once again narrowing down and finally deciding between a collegiate or professional career. Not an easy task, indeed.
Photo Courtesy of Penn State University Athletics
