A third round draft pick in 2020, Arkansas junior Casey Martin was quickly signed by the Phillies and consideration as one of the organization's top infield prospects quickly began. The organization's belief in his ceiling is likely evident in the signing bonus he got, which was reportedly $1.3 million, considerably more than slot money dictated by his 87th overall draft position ($685K).
The righty hitting Martin tallied a .311/.393/.545 slash line with 30 homers, 24 steals and 112 RBI in 143 games through his college career as a Razorback. 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 a procedure to repair the ailment, Baseball America projected Martin as a top ten draft pick.
In 15 games in 2020 primarily as the Arkansas clean up hitter, before the season was halted due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Martin notched a .271 batting average with a pair of home runs, 10 RBI along with 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.
In 2021, Martin opened the regular season with Class A Clearwater. In 69 games there, he posted a .223 average with 17 doubles, six homers, 35 RBI and 15 stolen bases. Following a promotion to Class A Advanced Jersey Shore, Martin struggled offensively, sporting a .136/.232/.200 slash line in 29 games.
It was reported that Martin was battling an ankle ailment last year, which hindered his production.
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. In the minors last year, he played 62 games as a shortstop and 35 games at second base.
Described as a player that's "full of tools", it's possible that the 22-year-old should likely return to Jersey Shore to open the 2022 campaign, as he still has something to prove at that level.
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