The hype for unsung Guardians player is starting to build with scorching July

For much of the early portion of the season, Cleveland Guardians rookie Angel Martinez struggled to find his footing.

The 22-year-old was thrown into the spotlight and asked to shine for the Cleveland Guardians as they dealt with injuries throughout the lineup. With the team missing players like Will Brennan, David Fry, Lane Thomas and others, he was thrust into the outfield and asked to be consistent.

Unfortunately, he really wasn't. At least, not until recently.

Since July 1, Martinez has been a spark plug for the team at the plate. He has 45 at-bats underneath his belt with a slash line of .244/.265/.556 to show for it. That is good enough for a high OPS of .821. He has been able to record 11 hits, five doubles, three home runs and nine RBI.

Guardians' Angel Martinez just peaked with career highlight

On July 8, with the Guardians taking on the Houston Astros, Martinez was put up to the plate with the game all knotted up at sixes. A pitch from reliever Josh Hader hung high and inside was belted into left field for a grand slam from Martinez.

The Guardians would go on to win the game thanks to his first career big-league grand slam.

“He makes things happen. He's running all over the field, putting balls in play," skipper Stephen Vogt said in a postgame interview. "What I love about Angel is, he takes what the pitcher gives him, and that's tough to defend.”

Prior to this month, his inconsistencies were hurting not only his value, but the team's offense. He slashed a line of .213/.245/.360 in May, before slumping further to a .184/.215/.289 mark through June. However, it was not a major concern, as it looked like a young hitter trying to get used to major league pitching.

And with the play he has shown in recently, he has gotten used to it.

July has been kind to the young, potential-filled prospect. His improvement has not just been at the plate, either, as the team has moved him around throughout the field.

He has played 56 games in center field, 31 games at second base, three games in right field and one game in left field. At each of these positions, he has shown some slight mishaps, but they represent less of a skill issue and more of an adaption to the major league game.

This turnaround in his game is likely due to receiving everyday chances to play. Since June, he has only been pulled from a game four times for a pinch-hitter, with two of the occurrences being in extra innings. That directly has helped to improve his confidence at the plate and in the field.

The Guardians have needed a spark of energy at this point in the season, especially as they try to make their way back into the hunt for a postseason appearance.

Fortunately, they have Martinez answering the call.

If his July numbers can continue to improve and his power continues to be shown, there may be a legitimate hope for the Guardians to make a late push as October approaches.