The New York Yankees are adding an intriguing piece to their depth chart, signing Cuban first baseman/outfielder Ernesto Martinez Jr. to a minor league deal with an invitation to big league Spring Training.
For Brewers fans, the name rings a bell. Martinez has been a fixture in Milwaukee’s minor league system since 2017, when he signed as an international free agent. Over the years, he built a reputation as a toolsy player with a rare mix of power and speed - leaving behind 56 career minor league home runs and plenty of flashes that hinted at big-league potential.
Last offseason, Martinez tested free agency but ultimately returned to Milwaukee with a spring invite in hand. And he made the most of that opportunity.
In 2024, he turned heads in Double-A, putting together a strong campaign that included a .284/.365/.466 slash line, 13 home runs, 62 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases. Just as impressive?
A strikeout rate under 17%, showing improved plate discipline to go with his athletic profile.
He didn’t get the call to the majors, but he was knocking on the door.
In 2025, Martinez made the expected jump to Triple-A, but the season didn’t quite go as planned. A thumb injury slowed him early, limiting him to just 80 games.
His production dipped - he finished with a .255/.357/.388 line, six homers, 40 RBIs, and only one stolen base. The power and speed that defined his 2024 campaign weren’t quite as present, but the on-base skills remained intact.
Now 26, Martinez heads to the Bronx with a fresh opportunity. The Yankees are known for stockpiling versatile depth, and Martinez fits that mold - a left-handed bat who can play both first base and corner outfield, with some upside still untapped. He’ll get a chance to show what he can do in camp, and if he can recapture his 2024 form, he could force his way into the conversation.
For Milwaukee, it’s the end of a long developmental arc with a player who never quite cracked the big-league roster but certainly left his mark in the system. For New York, it’s a low-risk, high-upside move - the kind that could pay off if Martinez finds another gear.