“El Espectáculo” is headed from the Brewers’ organization to the Yankees’ in 2026

Keen observers of the Milwaukee Brewers' farm system were rooting for a debut in 2025 that never came. Manning first base for the Triple-A Nashville Sounds for most of last season was the uniquely talented Ernesto Martinez Jr., but his opportunity in the big leagues never did arrive.

Brewers fans were hoping to see Martinez in action due to his one-of-a-kind skillset that has earned him the nickname "El Espectáculo," translating to "the show" or "the spectacle" in English. Standing at 6'6" and weighing 254 pounds, according to his MLB.com profile, Martinez has the ability to enter a full split while stretching for a ball at first base. Additionally, from 2021 through the 2024 season, Martinez stole 74 bases, averaging more than 18 swiped bags a season, further demonstrating his unique athleticism for his height.

His height also gives Martinez a great deal of leverage in his swing, which allows him to generate an impressive amount of power. He often turned heads with his impressive exit velocity at the plate, which led to an impressive 45 extra base hits in 110 games in the pitcher-friendly Southern League when Martinez was a member of the Biloxi Shuckers back in 2024. His impressive season in Biloxi led many Brewers fans to believe that Martinez would impact the big league roster in 2025, an assumption that was made possible when Milwaukee signed him to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league camp at last offseason's onset.

However, injuries, underperformance, and the emergence of Andrew Vaughn all kept Martinez in Triple-A for the entirety of the 2025 campaign. Now, after eight years in the Brewers' farm system without successfully breaking through the big leagues, Martinez is heading to a new organization, where he hopes his MLB opportunity awaits.

New York Yankees sign long-time Brewers prospect Ernesto Martinez Jr. to minor league deal

Even after his down year in 2025, there's a lot to like about Martinez and plenty of reasons to believe that he will be a productive big leaguer at some point in his baseball career. With a floor raised by his strong defensive and baserunning skills, and a ceiling raised by his ability to drive the baseball to all parts of the field, Martinez feels like he's just a step or two away from being a major league regular.

Perhaps, that opportunity will finally come in the Yankees’ organization, where Martinez has signed a minor league deal, as initially reported by independent journalist Francys Romero. After Paul Goldschmidt became a free agent at the end of the 2025 campaign, there's some uncertainty in New York's first base picture. Ben Rice will certainly see some time at the cold corner after logging 50 games at the position in his sophomore season last year. Trade acquisition Ryan McMahon could also factor into the first base mix, though he is likely to spend a majority of his innings at third base. With both Rice and McMahon being left-handed hitters, Martinez, who also hits from the left side, faces stiff competition when it comes to securing a big league role, but injuries could change that reality quickly, especially if New York goes the rest of the offseason without signing another first baseman, which feels highly unlikely.

Regardless of whether or not he makes his debut this coming season, it was probably time for the Brewers and Martinez, who joined the organization back in 2017, to part ways. With a 40-man roster that includes first basemen Jake Bauers, Tyler Black, and Vaughn, and several corner infield prospects expecting to advance to Triple-A in 2026, the opportunities simply weren't there for Martinez in Milwaukee's farm system next season. That said, Brewers fans, and anyone who has watched Martinez play the game of baseball for that matter, should be rooting for his success in the Yankees system, knowing they are in for a spectacle once Martinez does eventually reach the big leagues.