Kyle Martin (pitcher) | Today's AI Wiki

1. Early life and background

Kyle Jared Martin was born on January 18, 1991, in Texas, United States. He is known by the nickname "K-Mart_K-Mart^English", a play on the name of the American supermarket chain.

2. Professional career

Kyle Martin's professional baseball career began in Major League Baseball's minor league system before he ventured into Japanese professional baseball and independent leagues.

Kyle Martin's professional career began when he was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the ninth round (263rd overall) of the 2013 Major League Baseball Draft out of Texas A&M University. He had previously been drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2012 and the Washington Nationals in 2009 but chose not to sign. Martin quickly advanced through the Red Sox's minor league system, becoming the first pitcher from their 2013 draft class to reach the Double-A level. Over two seasons (2013 and 2014) across three teams, he compiled a collective 8-7 record with a 3.16 ERA and 13 saves in 54 relief appearances, striking out 112 batters and walking 26 over 116+2/3 innings before joining the Portland Sea Dogs.

In 2015, he also played in 27 games for the Double-A team, recording 2 wins, 1 loss, 5 saves, and a 4.50 ERA. Martin experienced setbacks due to injuries, spending two months on the disabled list. He recovered late in the year and was assigned to the Arizona Fall League, where his fastball was noted to touch 96 mph. This performance earned him a promotion to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox in 2016. That year, he posted a 3-4 record with a 3.38 ERA and six saves, striking out 78 batters and walking 21 over 66+2/3 innings, resulting in a 3.71 SO/W. His WHIP was 1.19, and he ranked second among International League relievers with 10.53 strikeouts per nine innings. Following the 2016 season, MLB.com rated Martin as the Red Sox's No. 22 prospect, and he was added to the team's 40-man roster.

Martin made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut on July 20, 2017. He was designated for assignment on September 5, 2017, which removed him from the 40-man roster. He continued playing in the minor leagues in 2018, appearing in 30 games with a 3-2 record, 1 save, and a 3.33 ERA. Martin was released by the Red Sox on July 25, 2018, to pursue a playing opportunity in Japan.

2.2. Saitama Seibu Lions

On July 26, 2018, Kyle Martin signed with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He was assigned uniform number 42. His NPB debut came on August 11, 2018, in a game against the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles at Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi, where he entered in the ninth inning as the third reliever, pitching one scoreless inning. Martin became a key part of the Lions' bullpen, appearing in 22 games during the 2018 season, securing 2 wins, 1 save, and 10 holds, contributing significantly to the team's Pacific League championship.

In 2019, Martin pitched in 41 games for the Lions, recording 2 wins, 5 losses, 1 save, and 10 holds, though his ERA increased to 3.67 ERA. After the 2019 season, on October 30, 2019, Martin was claimed on waivers by the Lions, and he subsequently became a free agent on November 5, 2019.

2.3. Independent League

On March 5, 2020, Kyle Martin signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent baseball league in North America. He appeared in 3 games as a relief pitcher, pitching 2+2/3 innings, with a 0-0 record, a high 16.88 ERA, and 5 strikeouts. He became a free agent after the season.

3. Playing style

Kyle Martin is a right-handed pitcher listed at 79 in ^{(201 cm)} and 229 lb ^{(104 kg)}. He is known for a three-pitch repertoire. His fastball velocity typically ranged from 92 mph to 94 mph, with a top speed recorded at 98 mph ^{(158 km/h)}, and was noted for above-average control. He complemented this with an 83-86 mph slider and a 79-82 mph circle changeup, which he had the confidence to throw in any count. Martin was also noted for his ability to throw a variety of breaking pitches.

4. Career statistics and records

This section provides a detailed overview of Kyle Martin's professional pitching statistics, significant milestones, and uniform numbers throughout his career.

4.1. Professional pitching statistics

Year	Team	Appearances	Wins	Losses	Saves	Holds	Winning percentage	Batters faced	Innings pitched	Hits allowed	Home runs allowed	Walks allowed	Intentional walks	Hit by pitches	Strikeouts	Wild pitches	Runs allowed	Earned runs allowed	ERA	WHIP
2017	BOS	2	0	0	0	0	.---	11	2.1	2	1	2	0	0	1	0	1	1	3.86	1.71
2018	Seibu	22	2	1	1	10	.667	88	21.2	15	2	12	0	2	26	0	5	5	2.08	1.25
2019	Seibu	41	2	5	1	10	.286	199	41.2	40	2	28	1	8	36	4	25	17	3.67	1.63
MLB: 1 year		2	0	0	0	0	.---	11	2.1	2	1	2	0	0	1	0	1	1	3.86	1.71
NPB: 2 years		63	4	6	2	20	.400	287	63.1	55	4	40	1	10	62	4	30	22	3.13	1.50

4.2. Specific records

Kyle Martin achieved several notable milestones during his career in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB):

First appearance: August 11, 2018, against the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (19th game of the season) at Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi; entered in the 9th inning as the 3rd reliever, completing 1 scoreless inning.
First strikeout: Same game on August 11, 2018, striking out Shintaro Masuda swinging in the 9th inning.
First hold: August 12, 2018, against the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (20th game of the season) at Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi; entered in the 11th inning as the 5th reliever, pitching 1+1/3 scoreless innings.
First win: August 14, 2018, against the Orix Buffaloes (18th game of the season) at MetLife Dome; entered in the 10th inning as the 3rd reliever, completing 1 scoreless inning.
First save: October 2, 2018, against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (24th game of the season) at Sapporo Dome; entered in the 9th inning as the 4th reliever, completing 1 scoreless inning.

4.3. Uniform numbers

Saitama Seibu Lions: 42 (2018-2019)

4.4. Walk-up music

"Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin (2018-2019)