Ernesto Martinez Junior

This young player could achieve the ultimate goal: becoming the first French player in the MLB. On the occasion of his recent promotion to the prospects within the Brewers’ Double-A franchise in Wisconsin, Baseball TV France met with him following this news:

Breaking News:

Ernesto Martinez Junior started the 2023 campaign in High-A with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, and he earned his promotion to AA at the beginning of August 2023 after having a dream July (.366 batting average, .429 ERA, and 1.002 OPS). He has been playing for the Biloxi Shuckers since August 8th, and before Sunday, in nine games with his new team, he had a .333/.529/.458 batting line, with three doubles and four home runs. If his performances continue like this, it’s not out of the question that the Milwaukee management will move him to AAA sooner rather than later (he would likely start 2024 in AAA or reach it a few months before the start of the next season).

Quick Bio:

Born on June 20, 1999, former student of the Escuela de Iniciación Deportiva Pedro Díaz Coello (Cuba) and the Pôle France Baseball at the CREPS in Toulouse (France), former member of the Cuba 15U team with which he won a world championship title and member of the France 18U team with which he played a European championship, Ernesto is a baseball player who plays first base and outfield. In March 2016, at the age of 16, he was one of the youngest players to participate in the World Baseball Classic Qualifier.

BTVF: Who are you, Ernesto Martinez Junior?

E.M: I am Ernesto Martinez. I play for the French national team and for the Milwaukee Brewers in the USA since 2017. I was born in Cuba, I am 24 years old, and I also hold French nationality.

BTVF: Your father naturally introduced you to baseball in Cuba and then in France. How do you experience this bond of baseball in the father-son relationship?

E.M: My father introduced me to baseball at the age of 8, and after winning the Under-15 World Cup, he brought me to France. I have always followed my father’s advice regarding baseball and followed the plans he had for me.

Father and son

BTVF: Since 2017, you have been living in the United States in the professional baseball environment. Can you tell us what these past five years have represented for you?

E.M: It’s been a fascinating experience since I was a kid. I’ve dreamed of this moment for the past five years. I’ve had the opportunity to share the field with many great MLB players. I’ve met many people, and through them, I’ve gained a lot of experience. I hope to share it one day with the French federation and players in the future to raise the level.

BTVF: You have just been promoted to AA with the Brewers. This represents another step towards the MLB. What does this achievement mean to you?

E.M: It’s a great reward. I’ve always wanted to play at the highest level. AA is the prospects league, and I hope to perform well to reach Triple-A as soon as possible.

BTVF: France is watching your feats via videos, especially your home runs. Tell us how you experience your at-bats and the reward of the home run?

E.M: Well, that’s really a great feeling. Hitting bombs isn’t easy. We try to live the moment to the fullest with our teammates after rounding the bases.

BTVF: Is it possible that we will see you back with the French national team soon?

E.M: Yes, I’ve always wanted to be part of the French team. Last year, I wasn’t able to be present for the Qualifier because I had an injury, and then the insurance contract didn’t allow me to be part of the team. So, I was very, very sad, but I hope to be there next time.