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Carlos Martinez praises, mentors Alex Reyes - A Hunt and Peck

Martinez believes Reyes could be a difference maker this year.

By lil_scooter93
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The friendship between hard-throwing righties Alexander Reyes and Carlos Martinez has been well-documented (well, at least by this blogger). The pair has yet to play on the same team at the same time, but being a part of the same organization and sharing a mutual friend in the late Oscar Taveras probably ensured that they had spent a lot of time together. The two charismatic and fun-loving young men have been in Florida this offseason preparing for the 2016 season together. It is a natural friendship, making the (slightly) older Martinez the perfect person to ask about the blossoming younger pitcher. Per Benjamin Hochman of the St. Louis Post Dispatch:

Alex Reyes could be the X-factor "this year," Martinez asserted to me. "This year. I don't know when. But I think pretty soon.

"He's unbelievable, because when I was his age, I was not like that. When I got to be that age, I couldn't throw like that."

But Martinez has offered more than just praise for Reyes. The now veteran big leaguer has been an important mentor in helping Reyes prepare for life in the majors. Per Hochman:

Reyes said Martinez taught him the importance of how one handles the daily routine of Major League Baseball. Staying consistent with preparation, never taking shortcuts just because you're pitching well of late (because the guy in the batter's box isn't taking shortcuts in his preparation). And Martinez said Reyes "is not scared" of trying new approaches in practice.

Hopefully we will soon be gifted with the sight of these two in the Cardinals dugout together!

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