EATON — Walker Martin is etched into Colorado baseball history.
Over a hundred people packed into Martin’s house in Eaton to watch the draft, and erupted into deafening cheers when his name was announced as the No. 52 overall pick in the second round by the San Francisco Giants.
The pick made Martin the 10th-highest pick ever out of a Colorado high school — a place in local baseball history not lost on the 19-year-old.
“It’s great to get on this stage as a Colorado hitter,” Martin said. “We don’t see many of them come through here and go straight to the draft, so being able to do that is really special to me.”
The call at No. 52 overall made up for the disappointment from earlier in the night, when the Giants passed on Martin at No. 16 overall and the air went out of the room. Heading into the draft, San Francisco was closely tied to Martin at that pick, but selected two-way player Bryce Eldridge out of Madison High School in Virginia instead.
“I went through all the emotions,” Martin said. “At the beginning, I thought I was going to go first round, but it didn’t work out that way. But the Giants came back with some good money, and it’s going to be a good fit. I’m more than happy to be with the Giants. They’re a good organization that’s going to develop me well.”
Sources said the Giants offered the shortstop a $3 million signing bonus, well over the $1,620,800 slot value of the No. 52 pick. Obviously, Martin will forgo his commitment to Arkansas to begin his professional career, which will likely begin with the Low-A San Jose Giants. His $3 million bonus is more in line with the slot value of late first-round picks.
The shortstop and the Giants reached a verbal deal late in the first round. While some forecasted a potential position switch in the minors, Martin said San Francisco sees him as a pure shortstop.
“They have full belief in me at that position,” Martin said. “I’m pumped to be a shortstop there and someday be the next franchise guy.”
Martin’s selection by the Giants is the crowning moment in the upbringing of a northern Colorado baseball wunderkind. Martin has been a known commodity around Eaton since he was in elementary school.
“We were throwing B.P. to him one day when he was about nine years old, and (another coach) said, ‘It just sounds different off his bat,’” said Brian Stone, one of Martin’s youth coaches. “We knew it from that day that he has a chance to be a professional player, and here we are.”
Martin led the entire country (all classes, all states) with 20 homers this year while helping the Reds to a perfect 29-0 season and third straight Class 3A state title. He had a .633 average, .722 on-base percentage and a 1.632 slugging to pair with 75 RBIs.
Martin wants to be in the majors by 2028, at the latest. He would be the fourth Eaton player to make the majors, joining Shane Dyer, Kyle Ottoson and Bennett Pickar.
“In three to five years, I’m going to be in the majors,” Martin said. “I’m confident in myself and I’m going to work hard to get there.”
Colorado’s Highest-Drafted Prep Players
The Giants drafted the Eaton star shortstop at No. 52 overall on Sunday, making Martin the 10th-highest player ever picked out of a Colorado high school. A look at the nine players who were drafted higher.
Matt Brunson, Cherry Creek SS, No. 9, Tigers, 1993
Jay Peterson, Denver East RHP, No. 15, Cubs, 1994
Craig Holthus, Fruita Monument OF, No. 16, Cleveland, January 1982
Roy Halladay, Arvada West RHP, No. 17, Blue Jays, 1995
Scott Elarton, Lamar RHP, No. 24, Astros, 1994
Darnell McDonald, Cherry Creek OF, No. 26, Orioles, 1997
Brian Fisher, Hinkley RHP, No. 29, Braves, 1980
Paul Zobeck, Pueblo Central P, No. 49, White Sox, 1971
Jeff Seale, Fairview P, No. 51, Mets, 1988
