Nick Martinez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Texas Rangers #12 prospect in 2014
  Primarily a shortstop during his three years at Fordham, Martinez pitched just 26 relief innings in college, but the Rangers saw a future on the mound when they took an 18th-round flier on him in 2011. After showing inconsistent velocity early in 2013, Martinez sat 89-94 mph by the summer and touched 95 with sneaky life, as it runs in on righthanders. He throws a solid-average curveball from 76-80 mph with 12-to-6 action, and his high arm slot makes it challenging for hitters to recognize the pitch out of his hand. Martinez entered the season with a fringy changeup but showed more feel for it in 2013, developing it into an average pitch with good sink and deception to become a swing-and-miss pitch at times at 82-84 mph. Martinez has a short stride and his delivery isn't the smoothest, but it's repeatable and he's a good athlete who fills up the zone with plenty of strikes. His solid three-pitch mix and knack for generating groundballs could make him a No. 4 starter with an outside chance to reach Texas in 2014, though he's probably destined for Double-A Frisco to begin the year.
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  Ranked Texas Rangers #27 prospect in 2013
  Martinez had pitched all of 26 relief innings in three years at Fordham when the Rangers made him an 18th-round pick in 2011. He spent most of his time as the Rams' shortstop and No. 3 hitter, but Texas scouts correctly gauged that Martinez had the type of pitchability that would enable him to start in pro ball. He impressed club officials by precisely locating his 90-94 mph fastball in his pro debut, and he worked his way into the Hickory rotation during his first full pro season in 2012. Martinez's quick-twitch athleticism, fast arm and clean, repeatable pitching motion serve him well. He sits steadily at 92-93 mph and shows an average curveball at times. His breaking ball has made the most progress of any of his pitches since he signed, and he's still gaining confidence in his fringy changeup. Martinez's secondary pitches play up because he sets them up well by commanding his fastball to both sides of the plate. Other young Rangers pitching prospects may have higher ceilings, but Martinez won't have to improve much to profile as a safe No. 4 starter.