Why J.D. Martinez looks ready for resurgent 2021
NBC Sports EDGE's Drew Silva thinks Red Sox DH J.D. Martinez is primed to rebound in a big way this season after a forgettable 2020 campaign.
Video Transcript
DREW SILVA: 2020 was pretty miserable for JD Martinez, not only because his end of season stats weren't very good, but also because he didn't have access to in-game video as part of Major League Baseball's COVID-19 protocols. Martinez turned his career around back in 2014 with the Tigers by delving deep into film study of his own swing and fully embracing the launch angle revolution. Getting more flight on the ball naturally leads to more home runs.
And he pulled it off in a major way, eventually landing a five-year $110 million free agent contract from Boston in 2018. Now with video access available again to players and coaches as MLB aims to return to a sense of normalcy in 2021, we're seeing the makings of a massive rebound. Martinez had eight extra base hits and 11 RBIs through his first six games in the opening week of the season. There are holes on that Red Sox roster, but the top of the lineup still looks very potent, and JD Martinez should continue to feast.