Red Sox: 3 realistic expectations for J.D. Martinez in ’21 MLB season
New faces and young players are going to be a focus for the Boston Red Sox in the 2021 season.
There are plenty of familiar faces, too, hanging around the clubhouse. Some are poised to become the next Boston superstar while others, like J.D. Martinez, are hoping to leave a dismal 2020 season where it belongs: in the past.
Martinez had a down season by most standards last year. It was a drop-off so significant, however, that many were left wondering how one player could fall so fast.
Of course, the outside factors of playing in a pandemic, playing with different clubhouse regulations and no fans in attendance, and a down season in general for the Red Sox were all factors for the season Martinez had.
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In 54 games, Martinez hit seven home runs and had 27 RBI. More concerning was the .213 batting average and an OPS of .680.
Though the Red Sox managed to put up runs, part of the problem could be attributed to teammates around him not performing up to standard as well.
By most measures, Martinez accepts responsibility for the “off” year and admits that “he wasn’t really prepared for last season.”
This type of leadership and mea culpa points to Martinez having a bounce back season. Here are three expectations for Martinez in 2021.
Similar numbers to 1st 2 Boston Red Sox seasons
Martinez will be entering his fourth season with the Boston Red Sox. To return to form, and prove that 2020 was simply an aberration, Martinez will need production like his first two seasons in Boston.
His initial return to the American League proved magical. In 2018 and ’19, Martinez hit 79 home runs and had 235 RBI. He also swatted 70 doubles and scored 209 runs, part of Boston machine that scored runs with ease.
Martinez had a batting average of .330 and .304 in those seasons to go along with an OPS of 1.031 and .939.
Are these the numbers needed from Martinez for Boston to be successful? Not necessarily, though if he were doing this, Boston would be in a good position for the playoffs.
With players like Bobby Dalbec and Rafael Devers, among others, coming into their own, however, some of the pressure to hit 40 home runs should be lessened.
While he’s still searching for that first home run in spring training, expectations are that Martinez can hit 30 home runs and collect 100 RBI in the regular season. More importantly, to get back to good, hitting .290 or .295 would be fantastic, along with 30-40 doubles. As long as players around him produce, Martinez should also score between 90 and 100 runs.
Valuable leader on Boston Red Sox
As the team around him gets younger, a leadership role for Martinez is more important than ever.
Now in his 11th season, and with Boston veterans moving on to different teams in recent years, more responsibility falls onto the shoulders of Martinez to be a leader. That means being available to younger players for advice and such — which I assume is already happening — to help hone their skills.
It also means helping to rally the clubhouse when the inevitable losing streak occurs. Or to help keep teammates keep focus as the season wears on.
Martinez has seemingly been affable teammate and the expectations are that he continues to do, especially has Boston competes in what will likely be a difficult American League East schedule.
Boston Red Sox MVP
Awards aren’t necessarily the “end-all, be-all” to judge a player’s worth and performance.
But for Martinez, expectations are at the very least he’ll be in the MVP race in 2021.
Producing on the field with numbers similar to what he put up in 2018, where he finished fourth in MVP voting, and ’19 will help fuel an MVP run in 2021. Even if Martinez can put up numbers stated above and the Red Sox are winning, his name should be in the mix.
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There’s no reason to believe that Martinez won’t return to form. Yes, he’s at the start of what is the back nine of his career. And he’s coming off a difficult season. But with plenty of talented hitters around him in the lineup and a dedication to the craft, Martinez will be back to form in 2021. Hitting with style, grace, and power to boot, exactly where he needs to be.