J.D. Martinez Finally Ended A Shocking Drought

Boston Red Sox veteran slugger J.D. Martinez hit a home run in his team’s 11-6 victory over the New York Yankees on Sunday night.

The series finished tied at two wins apiece, and Martinez was an important contributor in the finale.

As it turns out, there haven’t been many home runs from Martinez lately.

“With his home run tonight, J.D. Martinez snapped a 22-game homerless streak. That was his longest streak without a dinger since an overlapping streak from the 2013-14 seasons,” ESPN Stats & Info tweeted.

With his home run tonight, J.D. Martinez snapped a 22-game homerless streak.

That was his longest streak without a dinger since an overlapping streak from the 2013-14 seasons. pic.twitter.com/ywrk01tKzy

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 11, 2022

For an accomplished slugger like Martinez, 22 games without a home run is a lot.

Thankfully for him, the streak is now over.

Even with the 22-game homerless streak, the 2022 season has been productive for Martinez.

The Slugger Is Having A Productive Season Despite Recent Streak

He has, as of Monday afternoon, a .311/.378/.493 line with nine home runs and a .871 OPS.

That’s quite valuable, even if it’s clearly not his best power output or projection.

Even with the one home run hit yesterday, he has been on fire in the last seven games, with a .345/.387/.552 line.

In fact, he is a nice complement to Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, Trevor Story, and the rest of the Red Sox middle-of-the-order sluggers.

He may not have game-changing power anymore, but he can still hit for a high average and some extra-bases, too.

Martinez, at 34, has probably had his best years already, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be an important piece on a contender, which is his role at the moment.

He is quite capable of maintaining his rate stats throughout the entire year and mashing in the postseason, should the Red Sox advance.