J. D. Martin

For the American decathlete also known as J. D. Martin, see John David Martin.

J. D. Martin
Martin with the Washington Nationals
Pitcher
Born: (1983-01-02) January 2, 1983 (age 41)
Ridgecrest, California, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Professional debut
MLB: July 20, 2009, for the Washington Nationals
KBO: April 20, 2014, for the Samsung Lions
Last appearance
MLB: July 24, 2010, for the Washington Nationals
KBO: October 12, 2014, for the Samsung Lions
MLB statistics
Win–loss record6–9
Earned run average4.32
Strikeouts68
KBO statistics
Win–loss record9–6
Earned run average4.78
Strikeouts84
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards

John Dale Martin (born January 2, 1983) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals and in the KBO League for the Samsung Lions.

Martin is described as "a strike-thrower with a below average fastball who lives off of his changeup."[1] His "fastball clocks in the high-80s, at best, but he locates it well while mixing in a cutter and changeup."[2]

Professional career

Cleveland Indians

Martin was a first round pick by the Cleveland Indians in the 2001 Major League Baseball draft and played for the Indians' organization for eight years.[1][2] He suffered injuries, and in 2005 he underwent Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the second half of '05 and first half of 2006.[3][4] In 2008, he spent his last season in the Indians organization with their Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons.

Washington Nationals

On November 24, 2008, Martin signed with Washington as a minor-league free agent.[5] In the first half of 2009, he went 8–3 in 15 starts with a 2.66 ERA for the Triple-A International League Syracuse Chiefs, recording 63 strikeouts and 10 walks.[6]

On July 19, 2009, Martin was called up to replace injured pitcher Scott Olsen.[6][7] On July 20 he made his major league debut, starting for the Nationals against the New York Mets. He pitched four innings and gave up five runs on eight hits, with one strikeout and no walks.[8]

On August 9, 2009, Martin earned his first major league win as he pitched five innings and gave up one run on five hits. The Nationals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 9–2 in Martin's fifth start.[9][10] He ended the season with a 5–4 record, 37 strikeouts, 24 walks, and a 4.44 earned run average in 15 starts.[11]

After the 2010 season, Martin was given his outright release, then signed a minor league contract with Washington.[12] He spent the 2011 season in Syracuse, where he pitched in 30 games, including 14 starts, and posted an ERA of 3.93.[13]

Miami Marlins

In December 2011, Martin signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins.

Tampa Bay Rays

On January 10, 2013, Martin signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.[14] He spent the 2013 season starting for the Triple-A Durham Bulls. Martin's contract was selected by the Rays on September 22, 2013.[15] He was designated for assignment the next day without appearing in a game.

Samsung Lions

Martin spent 2014 with the Samsung Lions of Korea Professional Baseball.

Chicago White Sox

Martin signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox on January 22, 2015.[16]

Lancaster Barnstormers

On April 1, 2016, Martin signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He was released on May 31, 2016.

Washington Nationals (second stint)

On June 9, 2016, Martin signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals. Taking advice from years earlier from then-Nationals pitching coordinator Spin Williams, Martin began throwing a knuckleball. He joined the High–A Potomac Nationals and made his first start in the Carolina League in ten years on August 14 against the Frederick Keys.[17] He was released on July 9, 2017.

Tampa Bay Rays (second stint)

On February 14, 2018, Martin signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.[18] He made 25 appearances (22 starts) for the Double–A Montgomery Biscuits, compiling an 8–10 record and 4.49 ERA with 71 strikeouts across 124+1⁄3 innings pitched. Martin elected free agency following the season on November 2.[19]

Los Angeles Dodgers

On February 7, 2019, Martin signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.[20] He made 22 starts split between the Double–A Tulsa Drillers and Triple–A Oklahoma City Dodgers, accumulating a 5–10 record and 5.56 ERA with 97 strikeouts across 124+2⁄3 innings pitched. Martin elected free agency following the season on November 4.[21]

References

  1. ^ a b Cameron, Dave (June 26, 2009). "J.D. Martin Deserves a Shot". FanGraphs. Retrieved July 19, 2009.
  2. ^ a b Selig, Mark (July 19, 2009). "Martin latest Nats hurler to make debut: Washington (26-65) vs. New York (43-47), 7:05 p.m. ET". MLB.com. Archived from the original on May 27, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2009.
  3. ^ Hill, Justice B. (July 15, 2005). "Notes: Next 10 days pivotal: Shapiro wading through talks as deadline approaches". MLB.com. Retrieved July 19, 2009.
  4. ^ Castrovince, Anthony (March 13, 2007). "Martin aims to remain healthy: Right-hander making solid recovery from Tommy John surgery". MLB.com. Retrieved July 19, 2009.
  5. ^ McElroy, Pete (July 9, 2009). "Minor League notes". MASNsports. Archived from the original on July 13, 2009. Retrieved October 24, 2009.
  6. ^ a b Harlan, Chico (July 19, 2009). "He's A Kid Who's Had To Scratch And Claw For Everything". Nationals Journal. Archived from the original on August 13, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2009.
  7. ^ Ladson, Bill (July 19, 2009). "Scott Olsen to Go on DL; J.D. Martin to Be Called Up". All Nats All the Time: MLBlogs Network. Retrieved July 19, 2009. [permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ "Boxscore: NY Mets vs. Washington – July 20, 2009". MLB.com. Retrieved July 20, 2009.
  9. ^ Ladson, Bill (August 9, 2009). "Red-Hot Nationals Run Win Streak to Eight: Bats Connect on 16 Hits to Complete Sweep of D-backs". Archived from the original on August 13, 2009. Retrieved August 9, 2009.
  10. ^ "Boxscore: Arizona vs. Washington – August 9, 2009". MLB.com. Retrieved August 9, 2009.
  11. ^ "J.D. Martin". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 24, 2009.
  12. ^ Kilgore, Adam (February 4, 2011). "Nationals sign three to minor league deals, invite four to spring training". Nationals Journal. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  13. ^ "J.D. Martin Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  14. ^ Twitter / eddymk: #Rays sign RHP J.D. Martin
  15. ^ "Rays call up right-hander Martin from Triple-A | raysbaseball.com: News". Archived from the original on September 27, 2013.
  16. ^ "Soto, Penny get minors deals". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 22, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
  17. ^ Kerr, Byron. "Former Nats starter J.D. Martin is back, this time as a knuckleball pitcher". MASNSports.com.
  18. ^ Pollshuk, Mark (February 14, 2018). "Minor MLB Transactions: 2/14/18". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  19. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2018". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  20. ^ Adams, Steve (February 7, 2019). "Minor MLB Transactions: 2/7/19". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  21. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2019". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved August 6, 2024.