Detroit Tigers J.D. Martinez Could Be an MVP Candidate
After starting the season on the disabled list, Detroit Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez has returned with a torrid hot streak.
The Detroit Tigers were without their star outfielder J.D. Martinez for the first month of the season due to an injured foot. Since his return, in the last week and a half, Martinez has been on fire. The slash line that Martinez has posted in his first eight games has been nothing short of impressive, as he has not missed a beat since returning to action. With this type of production, might Martinez be among those considered for AL MVP at the end of the season?
Through his first eight games, Martinez has had 34 plate appearances. He has reached base in 22 of them, with six of them via the home run. Martinez has a .478 batting average, 1.261 slugging percentage, and a 1.908 OPS.
Over the course of a full season, those numbers are likely to level out, but still in the middle of the Tigers lineup, Martinez is capable of MVP consideration. With the likes of Ian Kinsler, Miguel Cabrera, Justin Upton, and Victor Martinez around him, Martinez will have plenty of opportunities to produce.
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Now in his fourth year with Detroit, Martinez has produced at least 20 home runs in his first three seasons. His 2015 season was his personal best thus far with 38 home runs, 102 RBIs, an All-Star, and Silver Slugger. Even with a month missed, Martinez is taking aim at setting new personal bests.
If Martinez is able to produce an MVP-type season, it will likely lead to a very profitable off-season for him. Martinez is signed through this season only, and on the open market, a large pay increase could follow. Given his excellent production in Detroit, with a .302/.363/.551 batting line and 89 home runs entering today, Martinez should do quite well in free agency.
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J.D. Martinez has the talent to cash in, but the key will be staying healthy and on the field. With the Detroit Tigers, he has only eclipsed 130 games played once. Clearly when he is in the lineup, Martinez is a force to reckon with. If his first eight games are any indications, Martinez has put his best foot forward for MVP consideration.