Well, his percentage of hits this coming month will have to be mighty high – and there is some mighty competition. But it's impressive that entering the last day of August, Martinez is batting .311, tied for fourth-best in the league, while the leader, the sweet-swinging Christian Yelich, is at .316.
The Cards' Martinez, who plays (well, survives) right field and first base, was a possible trade candidate at the end of last month. The Birds were hovering around .500, Matt Carpenter was slugging at first base, Dexter Fowler and Marcell Ozuna were still healthy and the team was also looking to play two young outfielders, Harrison Bader and Tyler O'Neill.