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José Martínez is a Victim of Pitching Analytics

The early season is always small sample theater. Much has been made of Kolten Wong’s power burst and Marcell Ozuna’s early struggles. Some of it might be sustainable, most of it- both positive and negative- is not. Sometimes the small sample is an extension of a larger trend, which brings me to José Martínez.

Cafecito is off to a rough start this season, 4-for-5 performance on Thursday notwithstanding. Even with his Thursday outburst, he’s slashing just .259/.259/.333. His next walk will be his first of the season, and his wRC+ before Thursday was -20.