Sports

Blue Jays select Vanderbilt SS Austin Martin 5th overall – Bluebird Banter

Published

4 years ago

June 11, 2020

The 2020 MLB Draft proceeded according to expectation for precisely one pick, with the Detroit Tigers taking Spencer Torkelson first overall. Then Baltimore threw a curveball, and the biggest beneficiary may turn out to be their division rivals.

Rather than take the player who was second in most rankings and first for some in Vanderbilt shortstop Austin Martin, the Orioles went down the board and presumably underslot for Heston Kjerstad. Miami and Kansas City opted for college right-hander Max Meyer and lefty Asa Lacy, receptively, and leaving Martin right in the Blue Jays’s lap where they ended his unexpected slide.

Indeed, just an hour beforehand it seemed improbable that Martin would fall past the first two or maybe three picks, for the simple reason that he was considered the top pure hitter available in the draft. If you’re going to pick one carrying tool, it’s the hit tool. And on top of that, he projects to play some sort of premium defensive position.

A highly rated player out of high school in Florida, Martin follows in a long line of Vanderbilt commits whose development takes off in Nashville and end up elite draft picks three years later. Indeed, it’s the second straight year a Commodore hailing from Florida was the 5th overall pick, after J.J. Bleday last year.

Martin stepped right into the lineup for Vanderbilt as a freshman, not just holding his own but hitting an impressive .338/.452/.414 in 273 PA, with notably strong plate discipline (13% BB rate, 17% K rate) if little power output.

That was merely a launching point for 2019, in which Martin was a catalyst for the College World Series champions. His .392/.486/.604 line speaks for itself, but what’s even more impressive is what he did in SEC conference play. Often, huge college hitting lines are padded by beating up on weaker early season opponents and midweek games, but Martin hit .424 in 28 SEC games, against the best pitching in college baseball. While continuing to walk 12% of the time, his strikeout rate was cut back to 10.5%.

Martin started similarly in 2020, a .377/.507/.660 line against unremarkable non-conference competition. The hitting ability at the highest level of college baseball is well established, with gap power. Defensively, he’s moved around the diamond, playing 2B and 3B last year, expected to man short this year but ending up mostly in centre this year apparently due to issues with his throwing and arm (his weakest tool).

As noted in the brief profile earlier today, there’s potential for him to be a Swiss army knife type utility player, moving around the diamond as needed, with Ben Zobrist type comp (keeping reality in mind; Zobrist had had a Hall of Very Good type career; Martin would be a greatpick if had half that career). The Jays announced him as a shortstop, and there’s really no reason not to see what he can do, though that could be complicated if he’s so advanced offensively he pushes his way quickly upward.

This selection sets up what will surely be an interesting negotiation. Martin is represented by Scott Boras, who will surely push for an overslot bonus given that Martin was expected to go higher (slot is $6.18-million). Working in his favour in terms of leverage is that Martin could return to Vanderbilt as a junior in 2021.

Moreover, given the depth of this draft and fortune of Martin galling to them, the Jays would be unlikely to do as well or better with the 6th pick next year. The ability to go 5% over their pool with just an overage tax means the Jays could pay about $6.66-million without requiring savings elsewhere. On the flip side of course, with all the uncertainty in the world, the Jays could essentially dare him to turn down over $6-million. Who knows next season will look like, or even what the draft will look like financially.

All in all, it’s hard to see it as a coup that the Jays were able to land Martin picking 5th,with draft analysts universally effusive of the value. Keith Law ranked him as the top player on his board, rating him as having the best chance of being an offensive superstar and would plan on starting him in AA next year.

An interesting parallel:

Don’t get me wrong – I like Lacy a lot, and would have been thrilled to get him 30 minutes ago.

But Austin Martin falling to #5 reminds me of Anthony Rendon in 2011, where teams (including KC!) passed on the best college position player because they overthought things.

— Rany Jazayerli (@jazayerli) June 10, 2020

It’s not a perfect comparison, since Rendon slid due to serious ankle and shoulder injuries, and there are some question marks around Martin’s arm. The striking similarity is that like 2011, the 2020 draft was deep at the that without a firm pecking order. If a player starts unexpectedly sliding, teams might be prepared or willing to pivot, and that may well be what happened tonight with Martin.

Martin becomes the third player drafted fifth overall in the June draft in franchise history. Hopefully, his career ends up more like that of Vernon Wells (1997) than that of Matt Williams (1981; the right handed pitcher who had only a cup of coffee, not the slugger who ranks 75th overall in career home runs).

Poll

Inquiring minds (well, Minor Leaguer) would like to know: For how many Aston Martins will Austin Martin sign?

4%

Less than 35 (at US$175K per base model)

(24 votes)
26%

36 to 40

(135 votes)
22%

More than 40

(114 votes)
46%

Screw the base model

(236 votes)

509 votes total

Vote Now

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Sports

Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

AP cricket:

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Sports

Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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Sports

Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

—

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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