David Ortiz knows what it takes to succeed in Boston, and Big Papi believes the team’s latest superstar acquisition has a chance to do big things with the Red Sox.
Ortiz spent a weekend in Fort Myers, Fla. this winter to serve as a mentor at Red Sox spring training. The former Boston slugger spent a good chunk of time with J.D. Martinez, who Ortiz said would bring “thunder” to the lineup in a rather simplistic projection.
But during an appearance on Buster Olney’s podcast, Ortiz took a deeper dive into his explanation as to why Martinez will thrive at Fenway Park. Ortiz only was with Martinez for a brief amount of time, but the 30-year-old clearly left a lasting impression on one of the greatest hitters in Red Sox history.
“I was watching J.D. hit for four straight days. This is a guy — he loves staying through the ball better than anybody I’ve ever seen. I watched him hit in batting practice for four days. His power to straight center field and opposite field, it’s something that, it’s gonna work out perfectly, because he’s not gonna have to do much to hit the ball over the Green Monster, and then pitchers are going to try to stay away from him, and the way he drives the ball to center field and to right field — he basically looks like a left-handed hitter hitting the ball over the right-field fence. So, I think he’s gonna be a perfect fit for the Red Sox.”
“J.D. Martinez is gonna be the main key for that power to back into the lineup, and to give the balance and take the pressure off the rest of the squad.”
The Red Sox certainly are hoping Ortiz’s projection comes to fruition, as Boston experienced a major power outage at the plate last season. The Sox haven’t had a true middle-of-the-order game changer since Ortiz hung up his cleats, but Martinez could be just the man to fill the void.
