RISK, REWARD, AND RAW POWER: MINOR LEAGUE DEAL IGNITES BRONX CURIOSITY
BRONX, NY—The New York Yankees have made a headline-grabbing move on the minor league front, signing towering 6-foot-6, 254-pound slugging first baseman Ernesto Martinez Jr. to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to Spring Training. The move, which brings a raw power profile built on immense size, raises more questions than answers about the team’s long-term plan at first base.
In a controversial offseason defined by high-profile misses and the re-signing of familiar faces, the gamble on Martinez Jr. sparks hope for his unfulfilled potential while adding pressure to a franchise still searching for clarity in the lineup.
WHO IS ERNESTO MARTINEZ JR.?
Martinez Jr., 26, is a Cuban-born prospect who spent the bulk of his career in the Brewers organization. He is known for his massive frame and raw power that once drew comparisons to players like Bryce Harper and Yoenis Cespedes early in his career.
- Raw Potential: Last season, Martinez Jr. showed flashes of brilliance, earning International League Player of the Week honors during a torrid stretch with the Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate, where he hit for a 1.501 OPS over a short period.
- The Caveat: His career has been heavily impeded by repeated injuries, which have limited his playing time and developmental consistency. He finished 2025 with a lower OPS (.745) after a mid-season promotion to Triple-A.
- The Cost: By signing him to a minor league deal, the Yankees incur no immediate financial risk or 40-man roster commitment—a savvy, low-cost move with extreme high-end potential.
THE FIRST BASE LOGJAM
The signing immediately sparks curiosity among fans, as the Yankees’ first base situation is already congested and undefined:
- Ben Rice: The highly touted lefty-hitting prospect is slated to be the primary first baseman/DH, but is still developing.
- Amed Rosario: Recently re-signed, Rosario was mentioned as a potential right-handed platoon partner for Rice at first base.
- DJ LeMahieu: The veteran utility man has logged significant time at first base, especially against left-handed pitching.
Martinez Jr.’s presence adds a third option for a right-handed platoon at first, further emphasizing General Manager Brian Cashman’s goal of balancing the predominantly lefty-skewing lineup. However, if Martinez Jr. performs well in Spring Training, he could make the Yankees’ roster decisions even more complex.
The Bronx faithful now awaits the next major transaction tonight, wondering if this raw, high-risk signing is a signal of a lack of movement on bigger targets, or simply a smart bet on a player who has been a breakout candidate for years.
