Once in a while, it's fun to measure the career of a pitcher as it begins to enter another dimension.
From the first time he got to St. Louis in 2013 to the final weeks of the 2017 season, Carlos Martinez has been questioned time and again about his emotions on the mound and his growth as a Major League starting pitcher. Speaking to media on Saturday, Martinez talked about a leadership role going into the 2018 season.
After breaking in as a late game energy plug, Martinez is now the ace of the rotation heading into this coming season, but that didn't stop the questions about his connection to the newest Cardinal: Marcell Ozuna.
Through a translator, Martinez recalled jumping up and down upon hearing about Ozuna was coming to St. Louis. He is very happy to be playing with Ozuna, who admitted to teasing the former Marlin about eventually coming to the Midwest for the past few years.
By himself, Martinez is a pure burst of fresh air and energy. He smiles as often as he can and answers questions with a passion that befalls a guy who has spent decades aspiring to be the pitcher he is today. Every player complies with the media, stands at the podium and takes the questions, but some look for the end mid-conversation. Martinez is a different beast.
He thinks the young Alex Reyes, who now covets the "untouchable" prospect label that Martinez once did, could be the next Pedro Martinez, even admitting that he could be better than himself eventually.
Talking about other young pitchers is something new for Martinez, which puts the 26 year old in a position of leadership for a rotation seeking a new alpha. Adam Wainwright's status as the de facto ace disappeared not long after his Achilles injury, and no one has stepped up and been more deserving of the mantle than Martinez.
Back in 2016, Martinez was being credited for speaking better English, and these days, he's being commended on throwing 200 innings, something he did for the first time in 2017.
Martinez worked with former Cardinal great Albert Pujols extensively this offseason in the Dominican Republic with Tsunami Waves, but it's more than that. Pujols has coached Martinez on how to deal with the media and growing as a baseball player. Pujols also gave Martinez pointers on how to help in the community and be a better person. While the leadership role is a new thing, the young pitcher is always learning on the job.
The quickest answer from Martinez didn't even require a translator. Birds on the Black columnist Joe Schwarz asked the pitcher what his favorite pitch was, and "two seamer" was the prompt answer.
More importantly, Martinez does not have his opening day hairstyle picked out, something that was of huge important to many Cardinals fans as his struggles emerged at times in 2017. The truth is no matter what happens with the hair, pitching is a tough job and something that constantly challenges anyone.
One of those challenges is the mental approach to the game, a wall that more pitchers than not climb over. Martinez did talk about Pujols giving him advice on the mental part of the game, and he wants to improve there this season.
For the first time, Martinez is the clear ace for the Cardinals and a leader in the clubhouse, but he's not taking his foot off the pedal anytime soon.
Elsewhere at the Winter Warm-up:
*Luke Voit bought a new house and got engaged this offseason, but he knows a spot on the opening day roster isn't set in stone. He has worked in the outfield this offseason in prep for a role that may carry more versatility in 2018.
*John Brebbia shocked everyone when he walked into the media room without his beard, a physical attribute that become a calling card as the past season unfolded. Brebbia proved to be one of the most engaging Cardinals this afternoon, laughing often and answering anything thrown his way. He didn't put his foot on the closer role that is still vacant, instead staying with the "just glad to be here" prerequisite.
*Sam Tuivailala is hungry for the closer role, and talked about adding secondary pitches to go with his fastball.
With more players set to speak to the media this weekend at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, a better picture can be drawn on the Cardinals offseason work and their upcoming season.
So far, the biggest news of the day has been Luke Gregerson being named the closer-something that stung with the news today that free agent closer Addison Reed signed with the Minnesota Twins.
Stay tuned for more quotes and action from the Winter Warm-up and be sure to follow me on Twitter, @buffa82.
