Cody Martin

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #18 prospect in 2015
  Martin has spent most of the past three minor league campaigns as a starter after a career closing at Gonzaga. Martin has an excellent feel for pitching while mixing his four fringy-to-average offerings with aplomb to keep hitters off-balance. His below-average fastball has good late movement while sitting in the 86-90 mph range, reaching 92. He pairs the heater with a hard slider in the mid-80s that serves as his strikeout pitch. Martin throws a curveball and changeup with late action for strikes. His mechanics can get a little off-kilter on occasion, but he tends to correct the problem quickly. He's an extreme flyball pitcher. The Braves didn't protect Martin on the 40-man roster, and he wasn't selected in the Rule 5 draft. If he doesn't earn a spot with Atlanta, he'll head to Triple-A Gwinnett for a third straight season in 2015.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #11 prospect in 2014
  Martin's father Chuck pitched in the Braves system in 1984-85 after being a 24th-round pick in 1984. The son already has exceeded the father's career, splitting the 2013 campaign between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett. The Braves believe Martin, a former All-America closer at Gonzaga, could help in Atlanta as either a starter or reliever in the near future. He allowed two earned runs or fewer in 10 of his 11 starts in the Southern League and had a strong start to his Triple-A debut before the league caught up to him. Martin led the organization in strikeouts (137) for the second straight season by throwing four pitches for strikes, though none grades as plus. He pounds the zone with a low-90s fastball that has good late movement and mixes it well with a mid-80s slider, which serves as his strikeout pitch. His curveball and changeup are both solid-average, and he mixed in a two-seam fastball in 2013 for the first time since college. Having led NCAA Division I with a 0.86 ERA as a senior reliever, Martin has proven effective in any role and draws comparisons with Kris Medlen from the Braves for his versatility. While his long-term future could be determined by the needs of the big club, Martin should reach Atlanta during the 2014 season.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #13 prospect in 2013
  Martin was a reliever for three of his four seasons at Gonzaga, leading NCAA Division I with a 0.86 ERA in 2011 while filling that role, and had a strong pro debut out of the bullpen in 2011. The Braves were intrigued with his command of four pitches and decided to look at him as a starter in his first full pro season. He responded by ranking second in the Carolina League with 12 wins and tying for third with 123 strikeouts despite getting shut down in early August once he reached his innings limit. Martin has a lethal one-two punch in a 91-94 mph fastball with late movement and a mid-80s slider that's his out pitch. He also commands a solid curveball and a changeup with decent depth and fade, and he mixes all of his offerings with aplomb to keep hitters off balance. The Braves remain open-minded about Martin's future and believe he has the makeup and ability to succeed in virtually any role. The current plan calls for him to remain in the rotation in 2013 while moving up to Double-A.
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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #19 prospect in 2012
  Martin saved 15 games in his first two seasons at Gonzaga before moving into the Zags rotation as a junior in 2010. Though he went 5-7, 6.55 in 14 starts, the Twins drafted him in the 20th round, yet he opted to return for his senior season. He returned to the bullpen and earned first-team All-America honors, leading NCAA Division I with a 0.86 ERA and setting a school record with 12 saves. He signed for $45,000 as a seventh-round pick. Martin, whose father Chuck pitched in the Braves system in the mid-1980s, had a stellar pro debut. He posted a 1.08 ERA and nine saves while striking out 13.2 batters per nine innings. Martin pounds the strike zone with four pitches and his impeccable command. His 90-94 mph fastball has plus movement, generating a lot of swings and misses. His best pitch may be his mid-80s slider, and he also has a solid curveball and changeup. Martin keeps hitters off balance with his repertoire, and some scouts suggest he should get another look as a starter. The current plan calls for him to open 2012 in the Lynchburg bullpen, and he could rise quickly and has set-up man potential if he remains a reliever.