JC Martinez. {954 Preps}
By: Matt Rothman
The J.P. Taravella baseball team has another player set to play Division 1 baseball, with J.C. Martinez committing to the University of North Florida.
“It is definitely a weight off my shoulders,” Martinez said. “It feels satisfying to earn something you worked so hard for. I am thankful for the opportunity to commit and for having people believe in me.”
Martinez began playing baseball when he was four and has played for teams such as the Elite Squad, All-American Prospects, Florida Ballers, and the Boston Red Sox Scout Team with former MLB player Mo Vaughn.
Martinez is coming off a season in which he hit .297 on varsity with five home runs and 21 RBIs. So far in his season, he has improved his batting average by over 50 points and has a double and five RBIs in seven games.
“I’m happy for JC and his family on his commitment to UNF,” Head Coach Joe Giummule said. “I think it is a great fit for both him and UNF. Now that this is off his shoulders, he can relax, have fun, and be stress-free.”
Martinez felt that UNF was the right spot for college because the coaching staff and environment felt right.
“I loved the atmosphere, the team’s energy, and their hungriness and desire to win,” Martinez added. “It was close to home and the right fit.”
Still, with more than half his senior season of high school left, Martinez hopes to improve his plate discipline and simplify the game when at the plate. He will then play for a team before competing for a UNF team that went 28-27 last year and is off to a 7-3 start this season.
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