{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1994)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox baseball biography |name = Seth Martinez |image = |caption = |team = Boston Red Sox |number = |position = Pitcher |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|8|29}} |birth_place = Sierra Vista, Arizona, U.S. |bats = Right |throws = Right |debutleague = MLB |debutdate = September 20 |debutyear = 2021 |debutteam = Houston Astros |statleague = MLB |statyear = 2025 season |stat1label = Win–loss record |stat1value = 6–6 |stat2label = Earned run average |stat2value = 4.00 |stat3label = Strikeouts |stat3value = 126 |teams = * Houston Astros ({{mlby|2021}}–{{mlby|2024}}) * Miami Marlins ({{mlby|2025}}) |awards = }}
'''Seth Antonio Martinez''' (born August 29, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Boston Red Sox organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros and Miami Marlins. From Sierra Vista, Arizona, Martinez attended Arizona State University, where he played college baseball. The Oakland Athletics selected Martinez in the 17th round of the 2016 MLB draft. Martinez remained in the Athletics organization until the Astros selected him in the 2020 Rule 5 draft, and he made his MLB debut in 2021.
==Amateur career== Martinez grew up in Peoria, Arizona and attended Sunrise Mountain High School, where he played baseball and golf.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/sun-devils-sign-seven-baseball-recruits |title=Sun Devils sign seven baseball recruits |website=FOX Sports |date=November 15, 2012}}</ref> Over three seasons, he posted a record of 19-4 with a 2.86 ERA and 172 strikeouts over 144 innings.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.peoriatimes.com/sports/article_1cacdf64-38a5-11e6-a54e-4b8b09e50aff.html|title=Four former West Valley players selected in baseball draft |first=Darrell |last=Jackson |work=Peoria Times |date=June 24, 2016}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Cantú |first=Ángel |date=2024-06-22 |title=Reliever Seth Martinez finds key role in Astros bullpen |url=https://ouresquina.com/2024/reliever-seth-martinez-finds-key-role-in-astros-bullpen/ |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Our Esquina}}</ref> In his junior year, he threw a no-hitter in his junior season and was named to the second-team All State team.<ref name=":0" />
Martinez played college baseball for the Arizona State Sun Devils for three seasons. As a freshman, he pitched both as a starter and in relief, with a 5–0 record and 4.32 ERA. He played summer baseball for the Bellingham Bells.<ref name="bbrefminors" /> He began his sophomore season as Arizona State's mid-week starter before being made the team's number one starter after seven starts.<ref>{{cite web |last=Metcalfe |first=Jeff |date=March 4, 2015 |title=ASU's Seth Martinez earns promotion to No. 1 starter |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/asu/2015/03/04/asy-baseball-long-beach-state-pac12/24406483/ |work=The Arizona Republic}}</ref> As a junior in 2016, Martinez went 9-4 with a 2.75 ERA and 94 strikeouts over {{Fraction|111|1|3}} innings pitched and was named to the first team All-Pac-12 Conference and a second team All-American by Louisville Slugger.<ref name="i368">{{cite web | last=Metcalfe | first=Jeff | title=ASU pitcher Seth Martinez selected in 17th round | website=The Arizona Republic | date=2016-06-11 | url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/asu/2016/06/10/four-asu-juniors-taken-rounds-5-10-mlb-draft/85720346/ | access-date=2024-10-27}}</ref><ref name="bbrefminors" /> His primary catcher in college was fellow future major leaguer Brian Serven.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2016 Baseball Stats |url=https://thesundevils.com/documents/2017/3/26//2016_Stats.pdf?id=3940 |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Arizona State University Athletics}}</ref>
==Professional career== ===Oakland Athletics=== Martinez was selected in the 17th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft by the Oakland Athletics. After signing, he was assigned to the Arizona League Athletics, where he pitched in three games. Martinez began the 2017 season with the Low-A Vermont Lake Monsters before he was promoted to the Single-A Beloit Snappers after one start. Martinez went 5–10 with a 3.49 ERA over {{fraction|95|1|3}} innings pitched with Beloit and returned to the team for the 2018 season. He converted to a full-time reliever in 2018,<ref>{{cite web |last=Star |first=Bradley |date=August 7, 2018 |title=Martinez Adjusting To New Role And New Arsenal With A's |url=https://www.milb.com/beloit/news/martinez-adjusting-to-new-role-and-new-arsenal-with-a-s-289257358 |website=MiLB.com}}</ref> leading the Snappers with 15 saves.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2018 Beloit Snappers Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?id=c73f948e |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He began the 2019 season with the High-A Stockton Ports of the California League and was promoted to the Double-A Midland RockHounds.<ref name=rule5/> He had a solid 2019 season, increasing his strikeouts and reducing his ERA against higher competition with a similar workload to 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-20 |title=Oakland Athletics: The unheralded Seth Martinez |url=https://whitecleatbeat.com/2020/04/20/oakland-athletics-unheralded-seth-martinez/ |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=White Cleat Beat |language=en-us}}</ref> Martinez did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name="u833">{{cite web | last=Adler | first=David | title=2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled | website=MLB.com | date=2020-06-30 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled | access-date=2024-10-23}}</ref>
===Houston Astros=== On December 10, 2020, the Houston Astros selected Martinez in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft<ref name="rule5">{{Cite press release |title=Astros select two pitchers in Minor League Phase of Rule 5 Draft |date=December 10, 2020 |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/astros-select-two-pitchers-in-minor-league-phase-of-rule-5-draft |website=MLB.com}}</ref> and assigned him to the Triple-A Sugar Land Skeeters to start the 2021 season. He was called up for his MLB debut on September 20, 2021, when he pitched a scoreless ninth inning.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 20, 2021 |title=Seth Martinez pitches a scoreless 9th in MLB debut |url=https://www.mlb.com/video/seth-martinez-makes-mlb-debut |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=MLB.com}}</ref> After another scoreless outing, his season ended poorly, allowing 5 runs the last inning of a blowout loss to Oakland.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-24 |title=Matt Olson smacks a bases-clearing double to center |url=https://www.mlb.com/video/seth-martinez-in-play-run-s-to-matt-olson |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=MLB.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Seth Martinez 2021 Pitching Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=martise01&t=p&year=2021 |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref>
In the 2022 season, Martinez joined the Astros near the end of April and worked as a long reliever. He threw {{Fraction|17|2|3}} scoreless innings to start his season before allowing a game-winning 10th inning home run to Aaron Judge.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seth Martinez 2022 Pitching Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=martise01&t=p&year=2022 |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Houston Astros vs New York Yankees Box Score: June 26, 2022 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA202206260.shtml |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoch |first=Brian |date=June 27, 2022 |title=Back-to-back no-hitters? Yanks object, Judge walks it off |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-judge-hits-walk-off-home-run-vs-astros?game_pk=661273 |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=MLB.com}}</ref> Martinez posted a 2.48 ERA over {{frac|32|2|3}} innings through August 13, when he was demoted back to Triple-A.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rome |first=Chandler |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/Seth-Martinez-Astros-optioned-Class-AAA-17371817.php |title=Seth Martinez a victim to numbers game with Astros |work=Houston Chronicle |date=August 13, 2022 |access-date=August 14, 2022}}</ref> On August 25, the Astros recalled Martinez from Sugar Land.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Van Doren |first=Kenneth |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/astros/news/houston-astros-place-ryan-pressly-injured-list-kyle-tucker-foot-injury |title=Injury roundup: Houston Astros place Pressly on injured list, list Tucker day-to-day |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=August 26, 2022 |access-date=August 28, 2022}}</ref> He earned his first major league win on September 15, after tossing a scoreless inning against the Athletics.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lerner |first=Danielle |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/Lance-McCullers-Jr-Aledmys-Diaz-Houston-Astros-17445500.php#photo-22935159 |title=Lance McCullers Jr., Aledmys Díaz lead Astros past A's |work=Houston Chronicle |date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 16, 2022}}</ref> In his rookie season, he was 1–1 with a 2.09 ERA in 29 games, pitching {{frac|38|2|3}} innings.<ref name=bbrefmain>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martise01.shtml|title=Seth Martinez stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref> He did not pitch in the postseason but was part of the Astros' World Series ring ceremony the following year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Yusseff |date=2023-04-03 |title=Seth Martínez : "Our goal is to go back to back." |url=https://cubanbaseballdigest.com/2023/04/03/seth-martinez-our-goal-is-to-go-back-to-back/ |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=The Cuban Baseball Digest |language=en-US}}</ref>
Martinez again split time between the majors and Triple-A in 2023. He earned his first major league save on June 25, pitching in the 11th inning of a win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLB Gameday: Astros 6, Dodgers 5 Final Score (06/25/2023) |url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/astros-vs-dodgers/2023/06/25/717615/final/wrap |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=MLB.com}}</ref> He had a 2–3 record and 5.23 ERA in 43 innings for the Astros, pitching more than 1 inning in 11 of his 35 MLB games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seth Martinez 2023 Pitching Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=martise01&t=p&year=2023 |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref> He had better results for the Skeeters, with a 2.25 ERA in 19 games.<ref name="bbrefminors" />
In 2024, Martinez pitched in a career-high 44 games with the Astros, going 3–2 with 1 save and a 3.59 ERA in {{frac|52|2|3}} innings, also a career high. He finished 14 games and had 36 strikeouts and a 1.272 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP).<ref name="bbrefmain" /> He also made 13 appearances at Sugar Land in 2024, with no decisions and a 1.46 ERA.<ref name="bbrefminors">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=martin000set |title=Seth Martinez amateur, college & minor leagues statistics |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 19, 2024}}</ref>
===Miami Marlins=== On November 4, 2024, Martinez was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Polishuk |first=Mark |date=2024-11-04 |title=Diamondbacks Claim Seth Martinez |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/diamondbacks-claim-seth-martinez.html |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=MLB Trade Rumors }}</ref> Martinez was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on February 17, 2025.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=D-backs agree to terms with Kendall Graveman |date=February 17, 2025 |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-d-backs-agree-to-terms-with-kendall-graveman |access-date=February 17, 2025 |website=MLB.com}}</ref> On February 20, Martinez was claimed off waivers by the Miami Marlins.<ref>{{cite news |title=Marlins claim right-handed reliever Seth Martinez off waivers |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43940466/marlins-claim-right-handed-reliever-seth-martinez-waivers |access-date=February 20, 2025 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN.com |date=February 20, 2025}}</ref> On February 27, Miami designated him for assignment after they acquired Brett de Geus.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Marlins Claim Brett de Geus, Desigate Seth Martinez For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/02/marlins-claim-brett-de-geus-desigate-seth-martinez-for-assignment.html|access-date=February 27, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com}}</ref> On March 2, Martinez was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mariners Claim Seth Martinez|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/03/mariners-claim-seth-martinez.html|access-date=March 2, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com}}</ref> However, he was claimed back off waivers by Miami on March 15.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Marlins Claim Seth Martinez|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/03/marlins-claim-seth-martinez-2.html|access-date=March 15, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref> Martinez was designated for assignment following the acquisition of Tyler Phillips on March 26.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Marlins Designate Seth Martinez For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/03/marlins-designate-seth-martinez-for-assignment.html|access-date=March 26, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref> He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Marlins Outright Seth Martinez|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/03/marlins-outright-seth-martinez.html|access-date=March 30, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref> In 41 appearances for Jacksonville, Martinez compiled a 3-2 record and 3.71 ERA with 54 strikeouts and eight saves across {{fraction|43|2|3}} innings pitched. On August 27, the Marlins selected Martinez's contract, adding him to their active roster.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Marlins Select Seth Martinez|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/08/marlins-janson-junk-injured-select-seth-martinez.html|access-date=August 27, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref> In six appearances for Miami, he recorded a 5.40 ERA with four strikeouts across {{fraction|6|2|3}} innings pitched. Martinez was designated for assignment by the Marlins on September 11.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Marlins Designate Seth Martinez For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/09/marlins-designate-seth-martinez-for-assignment-2.html|access-date=September 11, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref> He elected free agency after clearing waivers on September 13.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Steve |date=September 15, 2025 |title=Seth Martinez Clears Waivers, Elects Free Agency |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/09/seth-martinez-clears-waivers-elects-free-agency.html |access-date=2025-11-26 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Boston Red Sox=== On January 9, 2026, Martinez signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Franco |first=Anthony |date=January 9, 2026 |title=Red Sox, Seth Martinez Agree To Minor League Deal |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/red-sox-seth-martinez-agree-to-minor-league-deal.html#:~:text=The%20Red%20Sox%20agreed%20to,relief%20corps%20from%202022%2D24 |access-date=2026-01-11 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Personal life== Martinez's parents are Bobby and Kelly Martinez. He has one sister, Taylor.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Seth Martinez - Baseball |url=https://thesundevils.com/sports/baseball/roster/seth-martinez/3203 |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Arizona State University Athletics}}</ref> His father was a high school baseball coach.<ref name=":1" />
==See also== {{Portal|Arizona|Baseball|Biography}} * List of Arizona State University alumni * Rule 5 draft results {{clear}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{baseballstats|mlb=661527|espn=42742|br=m/martise01|fangraphs=21045|brm=martin000set|retro=M/Pmarts003}} *[https://thesundevils.com/sports/baseball/roster/seth-martinez/3203 Arizona State Sun Devils bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Martinez, Seth}} Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:Arizona League Athletics players Category:Arizona State Sun Devils baseball players Category:Baseball players from Arizona Category:Beloit Snappers players Category:Houston Astros players Category:Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp players Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Miami Marlins players Category:Midland RockHounds players Category:People from Sierra Vista, Arizona Category:Sportspeople from Cochise County, Arizona Category:Stockton Ports players Category:Sugar Land Skeeters players Category:Sugar Land Space Cowboys players Category:Vermont Lake Monsters players Category:Worcester Red Sox players