had just made the All-Star team and was on pace to triple his home run output, and realized, "Castro’s got the same swing they do." Martinez asked Castro how he had learned his technique, to which he replied, “You’ve got to see my guys in California.” The day after the season ended, Martinez was in Santa Clarita for an appointment with hitting experts Robert Van Scoyoc and Craig Wallenbrock. After two weeks in Santa Clarita, Martinez traveled to play for the Leones del Caracas in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. In one month, he batted .312 with six home runs and a .957 OPS. Of greater import was the response of the ball each time he hit it: there was a feel of newfound mastery. However eager Martinez was to demonstrate this increased prowess to general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager Bo Porter, they remained unconvinced. He played sparingly the following spring training, receiving 18 total at bats and collecting three hits. The Astros outrighted Martinez off the major league roster on November 20, 2013, and released him on March 22, 2014. After three years and 252 games in an Astro uniform, Martinez had hit .251 with 24 home runs. Detroit Tigers 2014 season On March 24, 2014, the Detroit Tigers signed Martinez to a minor-league contract. After hitting 10 home runs and driving in 22 runs over his first 17 games with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, the Tigers purchased Martinez' contract, and recalled him to the roster to play his first game on April 21. Martinez was awarded the American League (AL) Player of the Week Award for the period ending June 22, 2014. He batted .444 (12-for-27) with three doubles, four home runs (including one grand slam), 11 RBIs, and six runs scored in seven games to win his first career weekly honor. Martinez was named the Detroit Tigers' Player of the Month for June, posting a .345 average with nine doubles, seven home runs and 21 RBI, including a career-high 14 game hit streak. He tied for third place in the American League in home runs. Martinez authored a breakout regular season in 2014, finishing with 30 doubles, 23 home runs, 76 RBI, .315 batting average, and a .912 OPS, all career-highs to that point in his major league career. He was second on the club in batting, slugging percentage (.553), and OPS, and third in