JUPITER, Fla. • Righthander Carlos Martinez, whose spring training routine is a bit different than the other Cardinals’ rotation members because of a shoulder issue he encountered last September, finally faced a group of hitters from the Cardinals’ advanced minor league program Friday morning. And it was worth waiting for.

Staff ace Adam Wainwright, observing from behind the plate, said, “It was probably the best I’ve ever seen anyone throw off the mound from behind (the plate). I’m serious.

“I’ve never seen any live BP like that before. He was just unbelievable. It was everything you wanted. Wherever he wanted it. It was the most firm I’ve ever seen anybody throw.

“It was amazing. It really was. He doesn’t need to do anything different.”

Catcher Brayan Pena, handling Martinez’s fastball-slider combination for the first time as hitters stood in, said, “It was a very productive day. He was impressive. This is a guy who has that special talent it only takes time to explode.

“He’s got talent that I haven’t seen in a while. Hopefully, this year will be the year where the sky is going to be the limit.”

Pitching coach Derek Lilliquist called the 25-pitch outing “perfect.