Leonys Martin has been on the fast track since he arrived in the Texas Rangers system earlier this season after defecting from Cuba.
Martin, who's 23 years old*, tore up pitching in Double-A Frisco by hitting .348 with a .435 on-base percentage and showing plus range in center field while establishing himself as a legitimate candidate to be a the Rangers centerfielder of the future.
* — Who really knows with those Cuban ballplayers?
He's now a Texas Ranger, being called up to the big league club where he could make his MLB debut tonight as the Rangers host Tampa Bay. He replaced Nelson Cruz on the roster after Cruz was placed on the disabled list with his hamstring injury he suffered Sunday night. He's expected to miss three weeks, but Martin will likely remain on the bigger September roster.
When Martin got promoted up to Triple-A Round Rock after just 29 games in Frisco, his numbers started dipping significantly.
In 40 games with the Express, his average dipped to .263 and his on-base percentage dropped to .316, quite a difference on both fronts.
So don't expect Martin to come in and set the world on fire because it's highly likely that he won't. He'll probably get some time as a late-inning defensive replacement or as a pinch runner, but nonetheless, it will still be exciting to see who is possibly the future of the Rangers in center.
