Sean McCann
PBR Kansas Scouting Director

University of Kansas commit and two-time KABC 5A First Team All-State performer TJ Martin (Class of 2014) has accomplished some remarkable things already in his career at Blue Valley Southwest High School.  But, according to the 5-foot-11, 190-pound catcher, there is still a lot more work to do this spring. 

PBR Kansas: Who is the best Kansas high school pitcher you have faced in your career?

Martin: The best pitcher I have faced in my high school career I was Collin Wiles of Blue Valley West. Collin was a first-round (53rd overall) pick by the Texas Rangers in the 2012 MLB draft.  Collin had a lightning fastball that was up to 93 mph on the gun and had one of the hardest-biting curveballs I have ever seen.

PBR Kansas: Who is the best Kansas high school position player you have faced in your career?

Martin: I believe the best position player I have faced in my high school career was Logan Grey from Rockhurst.  He graduated in 2013.  Logan was a teammate of mine on Building Champions and the guy is an absolute freak. Logan can hit a ball a mile, throws 91 across the infield and runs a 6.67 60-yard dash.

PBR Kansas: At what point did you realize that you had a chance to be an elite player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

Martin: When I was 11 years old a team from Texas wanted me to join them in the Elite 24 World Series, a tournament with the top 24 teams in the country. The team I played on all year ended up making this same tournament so I went with my team. While I was down there I hit .582 with 5 home runs and also pitched 2 shut outs. That’s about the time I realized that I could make my dream come true and where my journey started.

PBR Kansas: Tell us about how the recruiting process unfolded for you throughout the last year?

Martin: I actually didn't have much of a recruiting process during my junior year. All of my recruiting started when I was a freshman when I started getting interest from schools.  About half way through my sophomore year I started talking to the University of Kansas at the various tournaments and camps I went to in Lawrence. I took a campus visit there and instantly fell in love with the place, Coach Price and the way it is there.

PBR Kansas: What are the main reasons you chose University of Kansas?

Martin: The main reason I chose the University of Kansas was because it isn't too far from my family so they can come watch me play. Also when I took my visit there I fell in love with the campus and the coaching staff. It meant a lot to me that they told me I would have a very good chance of getting playing time as a freshman as long as I come in and perform like they expect me to.

PBR Kansas: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

Martin: I would say the most memorable moment of my baseball career up to this point would be my freshman year in high school I was leading off the game playing against Blue Valley West and Colin Wiles threw me a first pitch fastball and I tattooed it over the left field fence.

PBR Kansas: What are your individual immediate and long term goals in baseball?

Martin: I’m currently 40 hits away from the Kansas high school career hits record so surpassing that is definitely one of my immediate goals.  My long term goal in baseball would be to become a pro ball player.

PBR Kansas: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player?

The person that has had the biggest impact on me as a baseball player is my dad. He has pushed me to become all that I have become in baseball and he was a great ball player in his day as well. My dad taught me everything he knew about baseball and, later on, took me to my lessons to get me more help as I advanced.  There was nothing he wouldn't do for me and my baseball career and I owe a lot to him for that.

PBR Kansas: Is there an MLB player you model yourself after?

Martin: I like to model myself as a mixture between Yadier Molina and Bryce Harper. I model myself as a catcher after Yadier.  When it comes to hitting its Bryce.  I love Bryce's love for the game and how hard he goes on every play. Some day I hope kids are watching me play baseball and say, “wow that TJ Martin guy plays so hard!”