The Confusing Off Season of Cody Martin
By Fred Owens
Mar 2, 2015; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Cody Martin was dropped from the Braves 40 Man roster in November but is now fighting for a spot in the opening day rotation Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Removed from the 40 man roster as the start of the off season, unprotected – and oddly unclaimed – in the Rule 5 draft, Cody Martin is now in the running for a spot in the rotation on opening day.
The confusion started 15 weeks ago when the Braves new front office did one of their many unexpected things and dropped their #11 prospect entering the 2014 season from the 40 man roster. The move caught everyone I know unaware as I wrote at the time and Ryan voiced his surprise about later.
Most here at the Take – and everywhere else I read – thought Martin would be snapped up by one of the many pitching hungry teams looking for dependable starter capable of swallowing innings at a bargain rate. Other teams for reasons known only to them passed on Martin and the Braves lost only the perennially sore shoulder of J.R. Graham to the Twins. Why?
A Confusing Journey
It wasn’t as if Martin had a bad year, he started 26 games pitching more innings than at any time in his career(156), posted a respectable 3.52 ERA, struck out 2 1/2 batter for every walk and even managed a save. It’s true that Martin isn’t a power arm or the always sought after lefty but he’s been durable and dependable. Those traits saw David Hale – who arguably had almost the same repertoire and slightly less velocity – pitch successfully in the majors over the last two seasons and Martin is younger and did I mention virtually free?
Did the Braves and scouts from other teams know something the general public didn’t? No one amongst the professional journalists dug into it too deeply; Martin isn’t a household name, just another minor league arm so he’s not on their radar as much as others.