A former NSU Shark and his team are aiming to be crowned Major League Baseball’s 2018 World Series Champions.
J.D. Martinez, drafted out of NSU in the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft, is on a postseason team contending for this year’s Commissioner’s Trophy. Throughout the regular season, Martinez put up numbers that have many believing he is in the running for the American League MVP.
Martinez is a designated hitter and outfielder for the Boston Red Sox. His talent has transformed the Red Sox in his first year with the team. The Red Sox won 15 more regular season games than they did last season, setting a franchise record of 108 wins. This would be enough for the Red Sox to win the American League East.
To start the ALDS, Martinez set the tone by blasting a three-run home run in his first at-bat. He went on to get four more hits and three walks in the series as the Red Sox beat the Yankees and moved on to the American League Championship Series.
The Red Sox faced off against the reigning champions, the Houston Astros, in the ALCS. The Astros took Game 1, but that was where their luck would run out. The Red Sox won the next three games, outscoring the Astros 23-13 in those games.
There was still no score when Martinez came to plate in the third inning of Game 5. He was facing off against one of the best pitchers in the game and his former Detroit Tigers teammate, Justin Verlander. Martinez drove Verlander’s curveball 396 feet for a home run, giving the Red Sox a 1-0 lead. His home run, combined with a great pitching performance from David Price and a three-run home run by Rafael Devers, gave the Red Sox what they would need to clinch the AL pennant. They were advancing to the World Series.
Those who know Martinez are not surprised at the success he’s having at the big league level. His work ethic is what caught Greg Brown’s attention in 2006, when he was a scout for the Houston Astros while Martinez was a freshman at NSU. Brown is now the current head baseball coach at NSU. He described Martinez’s ability to drive in runs as an “art form,” which led him to convince the Astros to draft Martinez in 2009.
Although he is no longer working directly with the program, Martinez is still impacting the Sharks that succeed him. Brown and Michael Mominey, former head baseball coach and current director of athletics at NSU, had positive remarks on Martinez and the others who came through their program.
“I really think Nova Southeastern helped them realize that there is potential,” Mominey said.
Brown said that in his time working with Martinez, communication is something he has taken from their relationship and implemented with the baseball team at NSU. He also is a supporter of tailoring different swings to different athletes at NSU, using a “bucket of tricks” idea that Martinez uses at the big league level.
Martinez, as well as the three other former Sharks in MLB, impact NSU in more ways than just having bragging rights. Photos of their progression from NSU to the big leagues are proudly hung in both coaches’ offices. Memorabilia is on display.
“[They’re] very humble and very engaged with us,” Brown said. “They all are.”
Although awards for MLB’s 2018 season will not be announced until after the World Series, Martinez has already established his place as one of baseball’s best hitters.
“If I had a vote [for] MVP…it’s got to be J.D. Martinez,” said Mominey.
Brown said Martinez’s ability to positively influence the entire Red Sox lineup is what makes him a valuable addition to their team.
Many Sharks will agree with Mominey’s case for AL MVP: “J.D., no doubt.”
Tune in to the World Series on Fox to catch J.D. Martinez and the Red Sox battle the Los Angeles Dodgers on their quest for excellence and a World Series ring.
