Chicago Cubs: Pedro Martinez is mashing the competition

During Major League Baseballs 2017-18 international free agency signing period the Chicago Cubs inked 46 names to their organization. A couple of years on, and one such player is making waves for the Eugene Emeralds.

Keeping track of everything going on in the Chicago Cubs pipeline can be difficult. As there are so many players unless you take the time to dive into each team in detail? There is no way of telling who is who.

Just a few days ago, the Cubs’ minor league players of the month were named for July. It is easy to steer toward the prominent names in both Brailyn Marquez and Jack Patterson. One new name emerged who fans should get to know, and that is 18-year-old SS for the Eugene Emeralds, Pedro Martinez.

Martinez currently sits at No.29 overall in the organizational chart of the top 30 prospects. He could very well see his status continue to climb if he can keep up the ridiculous tear he has managed while at Eugene in 2019. At the very least, Martinez is still probably five to six years away from the Show. It should not, however, stop fans from getting to know their possible shortstop of the future.

Chicago Cubs: An heir of intrigue

Following a whirlwind of international signings by the Cubs, Martinez became one of the final players in the entire class to ink a deal. He signed out of the great country of Venezuela earning a $300,000 signing bonus.

As one of the 11 infielders signed by the organization, Martinez is one who does possess a high ceiling and thus far it has shown in mighty ways. A switch-hitter, Martinez was signed as a shortstop, which is where he has spent the most time. Interestingly, however, Martinez has played a fair amount of second-base as well as a good chunk handling the hot corner.

Like most first-year players, Martinez began his journey in the Dominican Summer League. His time during that first year saw Martinez earn extended playing time, appearing in 54 games and registering 228 plate appearances. He finished with a .310/.398/.406 slash line, hitting two home runs and driving in 25 runs. Most impressively, Martinez swiped 31 bags and posted a well-above-average 135 wRC+. Childs play in the eyes of the competition.

This season, Martinez once again began the year at the Rookie-level. Through his first 27 games, he slashed a better-than-cool .352/.417/.519 with another pair of home runs, 17 RBI, eight stolen bases, and an even better 151 wRC+. Martinez was making a mockery of the competition, and the Cubs made the correct call in promoting him to Eugene where all is well in his world of baseball.

Chicago Cubs: A future on the horizon?

Martinez has many years to go before he reaches the pinnacle of his baseball dream. Nobody, however, has been as good as Martinez this season and it remains to be seen at a scenario where he makes another jump to South Bend. Keeping this torrid pace up with lead to another step in the right direction and Martinez could be that guy who finds himself climbing the ranks before seasons end.

There is no feasible understanding of the makeup for the Cubs five years from now. The chances are that many of these top-performing prospects will have at the very least caught a glimpse of the Show. Martinez does feel like a guy who could make it to the bigs and find a permanent spot in the everyday lineup.

Current No.1 overall team prospect Nico Hoerner is in line right now as the future of shortstop. Due to his versatility, Martinez could quickly become the everyday option at second base or even third base.

Yes, Kris Bryant will be 32 years old five years from now. What happens with Bryant could strangely carry lasting effects for Martinez and where he plays. That is a future problem though and a topic of discussion for another day. For right now let us all enjoy what Martinez has managed to accomplish and will hopefully continue to perform moving into the next generation of superstars.