Current Contract
Contract renewable through 2011.

Became a Cardinal
Signed as a non-drafted free agent on December 15, 2004.

2008 Season
Martinez found his season coming to an end in August with a broken bone in his left foot. In 127 games for the Springfield Cardinals, Jose hit .253 with eight home runs and 67, with slash stats of .253/.292/.348. Martinez played in the Venzuela Winter League at the end of the Cardinals season.

2007 Season
The 21-year-old put together a solid season split between high-A Palm Beach and Double-A Springfield. In fact his offensive numbers at Springfield (.300/.339/.472/.811 in 250 at bats, .301 BABIP) were much better than those at Palm Beach (.248/.285/.323/.608 in 226 at bats, .265 BABIP).

Career Notes
Martinez spent the entire 2006 season with low Class A Quad Cities, hitting .270/.320/.417 with eight home runs and 36 RBI. He missed nearly three weeks in August because of a bone bruise on his left.

In 2005, Martinez hit .300/.387/.500 with six home runs and 31 RBI, stealing nine bases in 11 attempts for Rookie-level Johnson City. In 55 games, he drew 20 walks and struck out 15 times.

Player Awards
Birdhouse Top 40 Prospect 2008: #7
Birdhouse Top 40 Prospect 2007: #30
Birdhouse Top 40 Prospect 2006: #30

Photo: St. Louis Cardinals