Florida baseball has added its second infielder through the transfer portal, as FAU’s John Martinez has committed to the Gators, multiple sources tell Gator Country. Martinez has already signed with Florida.
Martinez is a familiar name in Gainesville. He was a member of Florida’s 2024 roster but did not appear in a game, ultimately redshirting before transferring to FAU.
After spending the last two seasons with the Owls, Martinez returns to Florida with two years of eligibility remaining.
As a redshirt sophomore in 2026, Martinez hit .297 with five home runs, 16 doubles, and a .345 on-base percentage. He struck out just 28 times in 219 at-bats over 253 plate appearances. Martinez tallied 39 RBI, 29 runs, 16 walks, and six stolen bases.
Known for his defensive reliability, Martinez posted a .973 fielding percentage in 2026 while primarily playing second base.
The Orlando native took a significant step forward offensively from his redshirt freshman season, raising his slugging percentage while dramatically cutting down his strikeout rate.
In 2025, Martinez hit .284 with 14 doubles and one triple.
Martinez’s commitment marks Florida’s fifth addition of the offseason, joining FGCU catcher Jon Embury, Jacksonville State right-handed pitcher Maddox McDougall, Oregon State left-handed pitcher Trey Morris, and Utah Tech infielder Kyle McDaniel.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound infielder is off to a strong start in summer ball. Playing for the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod League, Martinez is 5-for-9 at the plate with three RBI and two stolen bases.
Florida needed to improve its infield defense, and Martinez brings a steady glove to Gainesville along with the versatility to play third base, a position he saw time at during his first stint with the Gators and has continued to man in summer ball this offseason. He also appeared in 12 to 15 games at shortstop during his two seasons at FAU.