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2021 Phillies Top Prospects Countdown: #22 SS Casey Martin

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A third round draft pick last year, Arkansas junior Casey Martin was quickly signed by the Phillies and consideration as one of the organization's top infield prospects quickly began.  The team's confidence in his ceiling is likely evident in the signing bonus he got, which was reportedly $1.3 million, which was considerably more than slot money dictated by his 87th overall draft position ($685K).

The right-handed batting Martin tallied a .311/.393/.545 slash line with 30 homers, 24 steals and 112 RBI in 143 games through his college career at Arkansas.  Reports had him falling in the draft as a result of an injury to the hamate bone in his left hand prior to his 2020 season.  Prior to the procedure, Baseball America projected Martin as a top ten draft pick.

In 15 games last year, primarily as the Razorbacks' clean up hitter, before the season was halted due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Martin sported a .271 average with a pair of home runs, 10 RBI and six stolen bases.  

A super talent, Martin was a collegiate freshman All-American in 2018 and was a unanimous pre-season All-American prior to his junior season.

Martin, listed at five-feet-11, 175-pounds in an Arkansas native.  

He's projected as a guy that could change positions and land as a second baseman or a center fielder as he moves through the professional ranks.  Martin previously played third base as a freshman in college.

Described as a player that's "full of tools", it's possible that the 21-year-old could get a shot at playing in full-season Class A ball to open the 2021 campaign. 

You can keep tabs on this year's Phillies prospects countdown by clicking on this link.

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