The Reds have signed Nick Plummer and Nick Martini to minor league deals, according to the team’s MLB.com transactions page. Neither player was on the Reds’ initial list of non-roster players at Spring Training, though it is possible either player has received an invite to Cincinnati’s big league spring camp.
Plummer got his first taste of the majors last season, as he hit .138/.194/.379 over 31 plate appearances in 14 games with the Mets. Despite the lack of MLB experience, the Mets signed Plummer to a Major League deal last winter after he became a minor league free agent, leaving the Cardinals for a new opportunity in New York. While the move paid off for Plummer in the form of his debut in the Show, the Mets designated him for assignment and outrighted him off their 40-man roster in August, and the 26-year-old Plummer again entered the open market once the offseason began.
St. Louis chose Plummer with the 23rd overall pick of the 2015 draft, but he produced only sporadic results in the minor leagues. It seemed like Plummer had broken out with a .280/.415/.479 slash line over 477 combined PA for the Cardinals’ Double-A and Triple-A affiliates in 2021, but that wasn’t enough to get him a look on the Cards’ big league roster. The outfielder couldn’t keep up the production with the Mets’ Triple-A team this year, batting a more modest .238/.330/.379 in 270 PA.
Martini, 32, also began his pro career as a Cardinals draft pick, selected in the seventh round back in 2011. He broke into the majors with the Athletics in 2018, and hit .270/.369/.369 over 333 PA and 112 games with the A’s, Padres, and Cubs from 2018-21. This is actually the second time Martini has been part of Cincinnati’s organization, as the Reds took Martini off waivers from the Padres in November 2019, only to lose him to the Phillies on another waiver claim less than two months later.
In 2022, Martini headed to the Korea Baseball Organization, and hit an impressive .296/.365/.461 with 16 homers over 576 PA with the NC Dinos. This production comes pretty close to Martini’s .298/.399/.437 slash line in 1769 career PA at the Triple-A level, and while will tell if Martini is ultimately a “Quad-A” type of player, his knack for getting on base has carried over to all levels during his career.
Martini has been a corner outfielder and first baseman over the last few seasons, while Plummer has experience at all three outfield spots. They’ll combine to give the Reds more options to consider within a crowded but unsettled outfield mix. Nick Senzel, Jake Fraley, TJ Friedl, Wil Myers, Nick Solak, Stuart Fairchild, minor league signing Chad Pinder and more could all be line for outfield time, though some of those players (i.e. Myers, Pinder, Solak) also have flexibility at other positions.
So Plummer might get a crack at making the big club.
The Reds will most certainly lead the NL in ‘Nicks’.
Exactly! Santa would be proud!
That’s just the big guy wears red. He’s a fan!
Yeah, but their variety is more knickknacks than St. Nick.
Nick’s Senzel, Solak, Plummer, Martini, and Lodolo. The Reds are all Nick’d up…
More underwhelming transactions involving minor league players when they need major league help.
Nick Plummer was an interesting player last year when the Mets grabbed him. Didn’t pan out there but I think he still has potential, especially if he gets some playing time.
Nick Martini like in the movie Its A Wonderful Life?
He should play for the Angels, ringing his cash register bell and giving out wings.
Comment of the day!
Nick was the bartender at Martini’s, but points for connecting the dots.
My guess is one of these guys ends up seeing significant time on the field for the Reds this season. All the minor league deals, while underwhelming, likely still represent some upgrades over what was previously going to be on the field and bench in Cincinnati.
Really? Wil Myers is head and shoulders above these guys. Fraley and Friedl have more upside, too. They’re gonna let Votto play when he returns from IL. Senzel is better than these guys but we all know Senzel will be injured at some point so I’ll give you that up front. India is a lock. Steer needs to get his chance before Elly and Noelvi arrive. So these signings are indeed just knickknacks. Even Fairchild and Pinder are at their level or above.
Plummer will compete w Fraley. Fraley is not that much better than Plummer so yeah it could easily pan out to where Plummer has a drury like season. Why not ? Someone’s got to score some runs over a 162 game season
Nick Plummer Nick Martinez Nick Senzel…any others in the organization? Can put em all in same game! Uncle Bob may sell some tickets on a Nickelodeon Night game
duh…forgot Solak and lodolo.
could bring back old veterans Nick Castellanos Nick Esasky.
masset?..anyone?
U also forgot to read the other comments as your the 4th person to take a shot at that joke
Nick Plummer could be a really good hitter. Last year when he got called up, he did amazing for 3 games, then got benched for about 5 games in a row till there was an injury, then didnt get a hit for about 5-6 games. Should of played him while he was hot. Reminded me of what Terry Collins used to do where if you had a good game at the plate, he would bench you the next game or 2, makes no sense
That’s Torey Lovullo’s favorite move!
Martini should play with Oliver Perez
Fail.
Reds just signed Michael Wacha. Where’s fozzy bear ? He can bring this section of jokes home
At least Plummer is still young enough to develop as for the other player the Reds don’t need anymore 30 something failed players.
Martini can hit the ball hard when he connects..Saw him have a couple big hits with the cubs. Be nice to have in case of injury. Only way he sees significant time.
Crowded outfield, in Louisville for Reds AAA team. Already had Siani, Solak, Hopkins, Cerda, & probably Hinds. Now Ramos, Pinder, Plummer,& Martini (if they don’t make Reds & don’t choose free agency).
Big Fat Baseball Team: Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick.