Jose Martinez Stats & Scouting Report

IP	204
ERA	3.926
WHIP	1.49
BB/9	6.088
SO/9	8.206

Full name Jose Manuel Martinez
Born 04/14/1994 in Restauracion, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 160 / Bats: R / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Diamondbacks signed Martinez for $55,000 in 2011, and he ranked as one of system's best pitching prospects until a stress fracture in his right elbow in 2014 derailed his progress. The slight, 6-foot-1 righthander made it back to the mound in late-June 2015 and worked exclusively out of the bullpen. Martinez will be a reliever moving forward, and he took to the role well. He possesses a fastball up to 95 mph and a plus curveball with late bite and tilt, giving him enough upside to project as a possible setup man. He doesn't always control his breaking ball or fringe changeup, in part because his quick arm often gets out ahead of his body. Martinez's next test will be high Class A Visalia.
Originally signed from the Dominican Republic for $55,000 in 2011, Martinez was on the fast track through the Arizona system thanks to an electric arm and plus curveball. After making his full-season debut at low Class A South Bend in 2014, Martinez's progress was derailed after two starts when he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right elbow. Prior to the injury, he possessed a quick arm that delivered his fastball up to 99 mph from a smaller frame. Even with the elbow soreness, he was still working at 94-96 mph. He also has a plus curveball, a hard pitch with late bite and tilt. A healthy Martinez should head to low Class A Kane County, the organization's new Midwest League affiliate, though he may start 2015 in extended spring training to keep his innings count down.
The organization's pop-up prospect for 2013, Martinez signed for $55,000 under the name Jose Fermin in June 2011. The problem resulted from a name transcription mistake rather than any identity shenanigans, and Martinez made his U.S. debut with a pair of starts in the short-season Northwest League in late 2012 after dominating the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League. He returned to the NWL in 2013, and while his performance didn't stand out, he attracted plenty of attention for his electric arm and potential for two plus-plus pitches from a smallish frame. He has a quick arm, generating velocity up to 99 mph, and he works regularly in the 93-94 range. His curveball, the best in the organization, is outstanding because it's a hard pitch with late bite and tilt. Martinez's changeup still grades below-average, typical for a young power pitcher, though it has shown signs of improvement. He doesn't always repeat his three-quarters arm slot, a problem that could be solved by physical maturity. Martinez stands out in a system lacking high-end Latin American talent. Thanks to his slight frame and last name, he will draw comparisons with Pedro Martinez, much like the Cardinals' Carlos Martinez. He should be ready to move to low Class A South Bend in 2014 and has breakout potential.
Martinez signed in 2011 for $55,000 under the name Jose Fermin. His fastball sat at 85-88 mph at the time, but shortly thereafter his velocity increased to 90-91 and he developed a harder-breaking curveball. Martinez made a strong pro debut at age 18 in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League last season and was named the Diamondbacks' minor league pitcher of the month for July. He came to the United States for two late-season starts with short-season Yakima before reporting to Arizona for instructional league. Martinez commands his lively 91-96 mph fastball, and he could add more velocity as he gets bigger and stronger. He's got a tight power curveball that is tough to hit when he commands it, and a changeup that is still a work in progress. Martinez has an ideal, athletic pitcher's frame, fluid arm action and an over-the-top delivery that he repeats well, though with some effort. He keeps the same arm speed with all of his pitches. Martinez handled his late stint in Yakima well considering it was his first time in the United States. He's probably not yet ready for a full-season assignment and could return to the short-season Northwest League.

Minor League Top Prospects

After making two starts in the NWL last year, Martinez was up for a longer look this year. While he held hitters to a .159 average, he walked nearly as many (25) as he struck out (30). Martinez has a fastball that hits the mid-90s and a quick arm from a slight frame. He also has a hard low-80s curveball. ?I?ve seen him up to 96 (mph),? Vancouver?s McCullough said. ?He has a big arm, and he showed some poise for a young guy. It was impressive to see a guy who kept plugging along.? Hillsboro?s Vicente said the 19-year-old?s fastball keeps getting better. ?He also has a nasty breaking ball, one of the best you?re ever going to see,? he said, ?and he throws a changeup. Jose?s a great athlete, too, with a great pickoff move to first.?