June 7, 2011
Bronx, N.Y. -
After having recruit Matthew Duran selected earlier in day two of the 2011 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft on Tuesday, the Fordham draftees added junior infielder/pitcher Nick Martinez (Miami, Fla./Belen Jesuit Prep) to the list as he was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 18th round (Pick #564). It marks the first time since 2008 that two draft picks with Fordham ties have gone in the MLB Draft.
Back in 2008, it was four-year pitcher Tom Davis selected by the San Diego Padres, while recruit Liam Ohlmann was taken by the Milwaukee Brewers.
Overall, Martinez is the third current Atlantic 10 player to be drafted by American League West, joining Dayton's Cameron Hobson (11th) and La Salle's Cody Weiss (14th), who were both selected by Seattle.
Martinez just wrapped up his third season at Fordham, splitting time as the Rams' regular second baseman and as a reliever. The Texas Rangers listed his status as a right handed pitcher.
In the field, Martinez started all 51 games he appeared in this season, leading the Rams with 46 runs scored, 37 walks, and a .404 on-base percentage. He ranked third on the squad with a .292 batting average to go with nine doubles, two home runs, 16 RBI, and 11 stolen bases. He also had 16 multi-hit games to go with three multi-RBI games.
Out of the bullpen, Martinez made 10 appearances, posting a 1-3 record with three saves and a 2.75 ERA, striking out 20 batters in 19.2 innings pitched. He set career-highs on the mound in the Rams' series finale, posting with five strikeouts in a career-long 4.2 innings of relief against Xavier.
Over three seasons at Fordham, Martinez has a career batting average of .295 with 109 runs scored, 26 doubles, 66 RBI, and 22 stolen bases. He appeared in a total of 15 games on the mound, posting three saves and 22 strikeouts in 26.1 innings pitched.
List of Fordham baseball draft picks over the last 15 years (round):
1997 - Tom Nielsen - San Francisco (16th)
1997 - Mike Marchiano - Seattle (20th)
1999 - Colin Young - Colorado (9th)
2000 - Kris Kozlowski - Toronto (32nd)
2002 - Bobby Kingsbury - Pirates (8th)
2002 - Jason Conlisk - Expos (17th)
2004 - Rob Semerano - Athletics (20th)
2006 - Javier Martinez - Washington (42nd)
2006 - Greg Smith - Pirates (14th)
2007 - Cory Riordan - Rockies (6th)
2007 - John Mollicone - Tampa Bay (27th)
2007 - Javier Martinez - Seattle (29th)
2008 - Tom Davis - San Diego (16th)
2008 - Liam Ohlmann - Milwaukee (20th) (JC Transfer committed to Fordham)
2009 - Peter Kennelly - Twins (38th)
2011 - Matthew Duran - New York (A) (4th) (committed to Fordham)
2011 - Nick Martinez - Texas (18th)
