Sept. 1, 2011
Spokane, Wash. -
As the minor league baseball season begins to wind down, Major League Baseball teams are already sifting through their systems to find Arizona Fall League players for this coming season. One of those players to get the notice is former Fordham Rams' pitcher/infielder Nick Martinez, who was recently invited to his parent club's Fall Camp for the Texas Rangers.
Martinez is in his first minor league season with the Rangers' system, after being drafted in the 18th round of 2011 MLB First Year Player Draft this past June, and has already been promoted once this season.
Martinez began his minor league year with the AZL Rangers (Rookie Season), starting four of six appearances. He finished 2-1 with a 1.83 ERA, 19 strikeouts, and just two walks in 19.2 innings pitched.
Martinez was then quickly promoted to his current team, the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League (Class A Short Season). He has made eight appearances on the mound for Spokane, six of which were in a starting role. He is 1-2 with a 2.83 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 35.0 innings pitched, holding opponents to a .258 batting average.
Martinez finished a three-year stint at Fordham this past May, splitting time as the Rams' regular second baseman and as a reliever.
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.
