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Minnesota Twins top prospect Austin Martin may not be with team for long

By David Hill

Jun 24, 2019; Omaha, NE, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores third baseman Austin Martin (16) runs to third base while being tagged out in the eight inning against the Michigan Wolverines in game one of the championship series of the 2019 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2019; Omaha, NE, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores third baseman Austin Martin (16) runs to third base while being tagged out in the eight inning against the Michigan Wolverines in game one of the championship series of the 2019 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Minnesota Twins had received an impressive return for Jose Berrios. The two prospects they received in return – Simeon Woods-Richardson and Austin Martin – were both considered to be amongst the top 100 prospects in the game. Both players were expected to be building blocks for the future, players that could be a key part of the Twins’ next run to the postseason.

But the Twins have changed plans. Any possible rebuild is not going to happen as they are looking to reload instead. With that being the case, Martin may not have that long of a stay with the Twins’ organization as he could be traded for pitching help.

Minnesota Twins could look to trade Austin Martin

There is an argument for such a trade to take place. Byron Buxton has been handed a seven year extension, blocking Martin from center. The Twins also have an overload of outfielders as it is, closing off a possible avenue for Martin to make an eventual impact at the major league level.

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Martin also has to deal with the presence of Royce Lewis. The top overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, Lewis has been a consensus top 100 prospect for the past four consecutive years. However, he has not made an appearance since his time in the Arizona Fall League in 2019 as he has been battered by injuries.

Those injury concerns could keep Martin around. Neither Buxton nor Lewis have been a bastion of health. Those injury concerns could open a door for Martin, even if the Twins are hoping that both Buxton and Lewis can stay healthy and be the players that they had hoped for.

If those plans come to fruition, Martin would be more valuable for what he could bring in. Acquiring a pitcher would help with their spoken goal of reloading for 2022, but that arm will be compared to whatever Berrios does over the next few years, especially if Martin is the centerpiece of such a deal.

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Austin Martin may not be with the Minnesota Twins for long. It is possible they consider trading the highly regarded prospect for another arm.

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