KC Royals: Internal Options To Boost Right Field

3) Jose Martinez

27-year-old Martinez (who turns 28 in July) set a modern Pacific Coast League record by winning the 2015 batting title with a .384 batting average. Most guys hitting that well get called up to the majors before they can qualify for a AAA batting crown.

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However, Martinez suffered through a slow start this spring and watched Reymond Fuentes get the early-season gig to replace Jarrod Dyson with the KC Royals.

Jose Martinez then had more trouble getting out of the gate in AAA. However, he’s boosted his slash line to a respectable .287/.345/.402 with a strong surge the past ten days when he hit .317. In short, he’s looking a lot more like the AAA batting crown winner that seemed ready for a shot in MLB.

The 6’6″ Martinez played right field last season, but has been appearing at first base for Omaha this season. He’s considered an average defender in right field, which means he’d be a defensive downgrade for KC’s Ultimate Outfield with Jarrod Dyson on the field.

The Kansas City Royals acquired Martinez as a minor league free-agent after noticing him playing Independent League baseball. He was an international signing by the Baltimore Orioles in 2006, and has played in the Orioles, White Sox, and Braves organizations before landing with the Royals in 2015.

Martinez would be strong candidate to get the job if the next two guys on this list weren’t scorching the ball:

Next: RF Candidate No. 2