D-backs RHP prospect Justin Martinez stands out in Fall Stars Game

Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Justin Martinez pitched a scoreless inning without allowing a hit in Sunday’s Fall Stars Game, the All-Star Game equivalent for the Arizona Fall League.

Martinez was the only D-backs prospect to perform, and he did his job in a 9-3 win for the National League.

The 21-year-old righty mixed in his plus fastball and changeup to strikeout two of four hitters he faced with relative ease.

Here are his two strikeouts from this evening’s game!pic.twitter.com/0rZRnnVyrK

— Prospects Live (@ProspectsLive) November 6, 2022

His outing began against Ronny Simon of the Tampa Bay Rays, whom the D-backs traded last winter for outfielder Jordan Luplow.

Martinez struck him out on three pitches, starting with a fastball on the inside corner and finishing with two changeups that dipped below the zone.

Minnesota Twins prospect Edouard Julien followed with a four-pitch strikeout.

Heston Kjerstad, the 2020 No. 2 overall pick by the Baltimore Orioles, dug in next, and the two had a battle.

Martinez got up 0-2, but Kjerstad worked a full count. The batter fouled off a fastball, and Martinez missed on the seventh pitch of the at-bat.

The D-backs’ arm did not have to work with a runner aboard long, as he forced a pop-up on the next pitch, his 15th of the inning.

Martinez and shortstop Jordan Lawlar were the two D-backs prospects who made the NL team, although Lawlar was unable to play due to injury.

Martinez, who stands 6-foot-3 and can hit 96-99 mph on the gun, earned his spot with a 2.35 ERA in seven appearances for the Salt River Rafters this fall. He has three saves and 13 strikeouts to five walks.

The Dominican Republic native reached Triple-A Reno last season after starting the year with Single-A Visalia. He could be an option for Arizona’s bullpen at some point next year or in 2024 as the No. 30 ranked prospect in the farm system by MLB Pipeline.

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