Nathan
Martorella

Cape Cod- Corner man Nathan Martorella (California) slashed a solid .264/.430/.361 on the Cape, yet showed below average game power for his position. From a spread stance the 6-foot-1, 220-pound lefty hitter had a sweepy swing that produced just five XBH in 94 plate appearances. Martorella made his biggest impact in the playoffs for the Kettlers with 5-for-12 (.417) and one home run performance during their three game postseason run.

CCS Playoffs D1 - Cal Commit. Martorella had a huge game going 2-4 with a 2B, 1B and missile right at the CF in his final AB. He regularly battled in AB’s and when he got his pitch drove them through the middle of the field. The bat-speed is very real with quickness and a consistent barrel path made to do damage. He really impressed me on a 1st and 2nd situation when a ground ball was hit and he made a diving play before throwing to 2nd for the lead out. It was a bang-bang play that showed instinct for his position. His athleticism has improved as the season’s gone on and looks like he could hear his name in the MLB Draft. Bright future for Martorella at next level no matter what.

3/13/19 - Cal Commit and a Top 2019 has been hitting atop the lineup for the Cowboys going 1-3, with a run and an intentional walk. Martorella is a strong and mature medium frame with width in the rolled shoulders and a high waist. His strength is present but he’s still agile and quick, especially with the bat. At the plate he stands wide balanced with high hands and a high back elbow. He’s controlled as he loads balancing in the back hip as his front foot lifts and the hands work down starting to turn the barrel. He’s regularly swinging from a strong launch position where he creates stretch in the body and allows his very quick bat to work on an upward path. During my viewings he was regularly looking to drive pitches and put his team on the board while also understanding his zone and recognizing off-speed pitches early. When you’re the best hitter on your team (and one of the best in Northern California) other teams aren’t giving you pitches to hit unless it’s a mistake, and you could see Martorella pressing a bit catching balls out in front and hooking a lot of pitches foul. He was intentionally walked when runners advanced on a passed ball and in a game I’d seen last week was intentionally walked twice, once with the bases loaded. I’d like to see him make a small mental adjustment and stay more to the middle of the field where his big power will continue to play; he’s a very advanced hitter with the type of bat speed and strength to be late on a pitch and still hit it a long way. He’s runs fine being able to go 1st-3rd or score from 2nd, like he did for the 1st run in the game. Defensively he shows good range at first and quickness playing the position. He can stretch for a pick and showed athleticism jumping to catch an errant throw and understanding he could swing his glove arm to tag the guy while still in the air. The arm is fringe-average from a compact high release and 1B is his best spot, though he has been on the mound for Salinas so maybe there’s more I haven’t seen and could possibly fit in LF as needed. The frame and bat speed are very present and scouts were out checking on that swing for the June Draft.

7/13/18 - Cal commit, big burly body type with raw strength and country strong. Evaluation at USA PDP workout, showed the big pullside power he's displayed in games over last couple of spring and summer seasons, as BP round went along he got more comfortable and balls were going off the palm trees in right field, did force his hands to the ball a bit in an effort to show his power, better when calm and easy to the ball and exploding through it. Defensively he showed adequate skills, soft enough hands and accurate arm, feet are a bit heavy. Two live at-bats were as good or better than all other hitter present, single up middle off 84 mph FB from RHP, single up middle on good CB with two strikes from RHP. He can hit.

6/24-17-6/26/17 @ BAWS 2017 - Cal commitment, bull strong 6-foot-1 210-pound build, video pretty much says it all, he drove the ball with authority from rightfield to the left-centerfield gap, drove in runs with simple knocks and pounded the ball over the fence. His bat speed is outstanding and his hitting mechanics are very strong, moved around well at the bag in games and looks to be more than simply an outstanding and impactful left-handed hitter.  Should have interest from MLB scouts in the spring of 2019, as there are few left-handed bats as advanced as his in Northern California.