Thankful for the Past, Focused on the Future

By: D. Scott Fritchen

Last Monday afternoon, Maximus Martin got the call. The 21-year-old native of Edgewater Park, N.J., sitting in the living room of his parents' home, received a text message from his agent seconds before Martin's official introduction to professional baseball was announced on TV during the 2025 MLB Draft.

Martin was a Boston Red Sox. Tenth round. Pick 298 overall.

And with that, the 6-foot, 190-pound versatile defender and power hitter who spent his junior season at Kansas State, opens a new world, with new opportunities, while striving to adhere to a piece of wisdom he held true to this past year in Manhattan.

"I'm just grateful," Martin said. "I have this opportunity to play ball, and I don't care what position or where I hit. As long as I keep playing, my future will pan out exactly how God intends. I've learned to have faith in myself and faith in God that everything will work out how it's supposed to work out."

On Wednesday, Martin flew to Fort Meyers, Florida, for orientation and post-draft medical appointments with the team doctor. By Thursday, Martin had met his roommate along with several other Red Sox draftees.

"I'm just excited to start," Martin said. "I'm super competitive and grateful. I know a lot of people don't get this opportunity. I just want to play the game as hard as I can and the best I can and when I get my opportunities, I'll make the most of it.

"When I make the big leagues, I make the big leagues."

But it was Tuesday — one day after draft day — that the polite, soft-spoken Martin perhaps will hold dear to him for years to come. His parents, Melanie and Carlton Martin, held a celebration for him inside their home. Maximus expected an intimate gathering of five or six guests.

Instead, one of the most dangerous hitters in the Big 12 Conference this past season, was dealt his first surprise as a pro.

"More than 50 people showed up at my house," Martin said. "It was coaches from when I was five and six years old, it was everybody who's had a role in my life up to this point. Some people drove two hours just to see me for an hour or two. I was so happy I got to see so many faces I hadn't seen since I was 5 or 6 or 8 years old. It was amazing."

Martin is delighted that some of those same attendees might have an opportunity to see him play as he climbs the ladder to actually play his first game as a major leaguer at Fenway Park.

The Triple-A Worchester Red Sox (WooSox) play in Worchester, Massachusetts. The Double-A Portland Sea Dogs play in Portland, Maine. The High-A Greenville Drive play in Greenville, South Carolina. The Single-A Salem Red Sox play in Salem, Virginia.

"It's interesting because most of the Red Sox minor-league teams aren't far from our home in New Jersey," Martin said. "Worchester, Maine, South Carolina and Virginia — I'll be close to family. If all goes well and I keep playing well and make my way up, I'll be close enough to family where they can still watch me until I make the big leagues. It's cool that I'm able to play for an organization that's not too far away from home."

One day, he hopes to claim Fenway Park as his home. He is already familiar with the historic stadium.

"In high school, I actually played in the Kelly Rodman Classic at Fenway, so I've seen the Green Monster and have taken at-bats there," he said. "I got my footing there, and now I have to work my way up to be there again."

Asked what first comes to mind when he thinks about the Red Sox, Martin replied, "World Series Champs and Hall-of-Fame hitters."

"They do a really good job with their hitters in their system," he added. "I'm looking forward to seeing how they can help me grow and develop as a person and a player."

In his lone season at K-State, Martin earned ABCA/Rawlings First Team All-Region honors and was named All-Big 12 Second Team after slashing .320/.420/.612 with a team-high 18 doubles and 14 home runs — tied for fourth-most in a single season in K-State history.

Martin was one of the league's top offensive performers, finishing the regular season ranked top 10 in the Big 12 in three statistical categories. He garnered both the Golden Spikes Award and National Shortstop of the Week recognition.

"I enjoyed every day I was at K-State," Martin said. "I'm glad I was able to meet a lot of really great friends that I'll stay in touch with the rest of my life. The coaches gave me an amazing opportunity,. and I can't thank them enough. I took nothing for granted and it was my best year.

"I'll remember this past year at K-State for the rest of my life."

Kansas State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Maximus Martin

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