Just about every aspect of José Martínez’s professional baseball career carries an interesting storyline.
Beginning his professional career in 2006, Martínez didn’t see his first major league plate appearance until a decade later.
In retrospect, it’s amazing to see how he was overlooked so many times. He hit well at every level. Three of his five teams were in the American League, where his bat could’ve carried him.
It’s good for us that no one saw the potential. After the Cardinals took him across the state from the Royals for cash, he had seven hits and two walks in 18 plate appearances to end 2016.