Detroit Tigers Heroes and Zeroes Week 12: J.D. Martinez rises

Jun 26, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) rounds the bases after a solo home run during the eighth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. The Tigers won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

#1 Hero: J.D. Martinez

The Super Martinez Bros. at 1-2? How appropriate.

J.D. Martinez may not be hitting for average like he had been last year, but he has developed into the typical American League power hitter and boy did he have himself typical power-hitter week.

Although he only hit .200 for the week, and struck out seven times in 20 at-bats, he hit three homers and tallied five RBIs.

J.D. is hitting .270, but has eclipsed Miguel Cabrera for tops in homers on the team with 19. In fact he is tied with a cluster of players for second in the AL in home runs, trailing Albert Pujols‘ 23 dingers.

Barring an injury, J.D. Mart will easily eclipse his career high in homers with 23, set last year in his first go-around with the Detroit Tigers.

Despite early struggles, the middle of this Tigers’ lineup is getting hard to handle at least three times a game for even the best pitchers. Miggy to V-Mart to Cespedes to J.D. Mart and then scrappy Jose Iglesias at the end of it, this could be the lineup we envisioned after Week 1.

And, really, to be able to catch the Kansas City Royals, it has to be this torrid for the rest of the year.

Next: J.D. Martinez has become the next Jose Bautista