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Martinez powers way to IL Batter of the Week honors

April 21, 2014

The International League announced today that Toledo left fielder/designated hitter J.D. Martinez has been named the League's Batter of the Week for the period from April 14 -20. Martinez is the first Mud Hens player to win an IL weekly award in 2014.

J.D. Martinez statistics

Martinez displayed an impressive amount of power this week as he pushed his Minor League‐leading home run total to 10. Four of his long balls came Saturday at Columbus in a span of five at‐bats during a doubleheader sweep of the Clippers.

In Game 1 he became the first Mud Hens player in nearly two years to homer three times in a game, last accomplished in the same ballpark by Brad Eldred on April 24, 2012. He then clubbed a two‐run shot in his first at‐bat of the second game, his fourth of the night and sixth of the week. In addition to home runs, Martinez is the League‐leader in RBI (22), extra‐base hits (14), total bases (55), and slugging percentage (.846). 

26‐year‐old J.D. Martinez is in his sixth season as a professional player. After spending his entire career in the Houston organization, he was released in March and signed as a free agent by the Tigers. Martinez played in 252 games with the Astros between 2011 and 2013, hitting for a .251 average with 24 home runs. Martinez is a native of Miami, Florida.