Chris Martin

Chris is in his first season with the Cubs after winning his first World Series championship in 2021 with Atlanta... Has appeared in 209 career major league games (all in relief) for the Rockies (2014), Yankees (2015), Rangers (2018-19) and Braves (2019-21), posting a 4.06 ERA (88 ER/195.0 IP), 59 holds and seven saves... Has pitched to a 3.23 ERA (42 ER/117.0 IP) in his last three seasons dating to 2019, going 4-8 with 37 holds, six saves and a 1.05 WHIP in 123 games during that span... Enjoyed a career year in 2020 with Atlanta, finishing among the NL leaders in WHIP (1st, 0.61), hits allowed (T-1st, 8) and ERA (4th, 1.00)... Tossed a career-high 16.0 consecutive scoreless innings from July 29-Sept. 21... Spent the 2016-17 seasons with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in the Japan Pacific League ... posted a 1.12 ERA (11 ER/88.1 IP) in 92 games... The 1.12 ERA and .154 average against were the lowest among all NPB relievers (min. 90 appearances) during that span... Has been traded three times in his career, in Dec. 2013 from Boston to Colorado, Jan. 2015 from Colorado to New York (A.L.) and in July 2019 from Texas to Atlanta... Was signed by Boston in 2011 after pitching the 2010 season for Grand Prairie in the independent American Association... Pitched two seasons at McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas ... tore his labrum in 2006 and underwent surgery to repair the tear in 2007... Graduated from Arlington (Texas) High School in 2004 and was selected to the THSBCA Class 5A All-Star Team during his senior year.
2021
Chris made 46 relief appearances and won his first World Series championship with Atlanta in 2021... Went 2-4 with a 3.95 ERA (19 ER/43.1 IP), 13 holds and one save during the regular season... Tossed 4.1 innings over five postseason appearances, allowing one earned run... Missed from April 10-May 12 with right shoulder inflammation and Sept. 2-16 with right elbow inflammation... 32 of his 46 appearances were scoreless and he allowed one run or less in 42 of those games... Did not allow a run in May over six appearances (6.0 IP), holding hitters to a .053 average against (1-for-19)... Pitched in Games 4 and 5 of the World Series, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings with two strikeouts.

2020
N.L. Ranks: WHIP (0.61, 1st), ERA (1.00, 4th), hits (8, T1st)...Pitched to a 0.61 WHIP this season, the lowest among players with as many innings pitched as him...His 1.00 ERA was the fourth lowest among relievers with as many appearances in the National League...His eight hits allowed were tied for the lowest total in the majors among players with as many innings pitched...In his first full season with Atlanta recorded six holds and a save in 19 games with a 1.00 ERA (2 ER/19.0 IP)...Had a career long scoreless streak of 16.0 innings between 7/29 and 9/21. 2020 Postseason...Pitched in eight of Atlanta's 12 postseason games, and went 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA (2 ER/8.0 IP)...Struck out six and pitched to a 0.88 WHIP...His 8.0 innings in relief were the fourth most in the National League.

2019
Appeared in 58 games on the season between Atlanta and Texas, combining to go 1-3 with a 3.40 ERA (21 ER/55.2 IP) and four saves... Atlanta acquired him on 7/30 and he went 1-1 with a 4.08 ERA in 20 games for the Braves...Pitched to a 1.59 FIP...Had an 11.57 ERA (6 ER/4.2 IP) in his first six games with the Braves, before pitching to a 1.38 ERA (2 ER/13.0 IP) in his final 14 appearances... Walked just five batters in 55.2 innings on the season, the fewest in baseball among pitchers with at least 50.0 innings...His 0.81 walks per 9.0 innings were second fewest, behind only teammate Josh Tomlin (0.79)... Tossed the sixth immaculate inning in franchise history, September 11 at Philadelphia, fanning César Hernández, Jay Bruce, and Logan Morrison on nine total pitches... Joined John Clarkson (1889), Joe Oeschger (1921), Tony Cloninger (1963), Joey McLaughlin (1979) and Buddy Carlyle (2007) in accomplishing the feat... Was one of three relievers Atlanta acquired in the final two days before the trade deadline, joining Shane Greene from Detroit and Mark Melancon from San Francisco... Martin, Greene and Melancon were each added to Atlanta's bullpen, and joined the Braves after combining to go 4-6 with a 2.65 ERA (36 ER/122.1 IP) over 119 games on the season with their original clubs, with 27 saves, 130 strikeouts and just 32 walks... The trio combined to pitch in 20 games for Atlanta from 8/1 to 8/14 and went 1-2 with an 11.15 ERA (19 ER/15.1 IP), three blown saves and 31 hits allowed... In their final 50 combined games for Atlanta, from 8/15 through the end of the season, the three combined to go 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA (9 ER/48.0 IP), convert all 11 save chances and collect 14 holds. Allowed left-handers to bat just .202/.208/.374 against him in 101 plate appearances, while righties batted .291/.313/.445 in 115 plate appearances…He walked just one left-handed batter all season. 2019 Postseason... Made Atlanta's postseason roster but sustained an injury while warming up during Game 1…Was replaced on the roster by Julio Teheran.

2018
Appeared in a career-high 46 G, 4th-most on staff… marked 1st ML action since 2015 w/ NYY…entered in the 7th inning or later in 43 of 46 G…ranked among A.L. relief leaders in BB/9.0 IP (4th, 1.08) and SO/BB (5th, 7.40)…marked the lowest single-season BB/9.0 IP rate by a reliever in WAS/TEX franchise history (min. 40 IP)…issued walks in 4 of 46 G, multiple walks just once (7/4 vs. HOU)…had a 1.224 WHIP that ranked 3rd on TEX staff (min. 40.0 IP) to only Jose Leclerc (0.850) and Mike Minor (1.121).

2017
Earned save in season's 1st appearance on 4/1 vs. Saitama Seibu Lions but was then sidelined until 5/7 with a right forearm muscle strain…was used in a set-up role the rest of the year, ranking 9th in NPB in holds (29)…posted lowest ERA (1.19) on the Fighters staff while holding opponents to .165 batting average…issued runs in just 4 of 40 overall outings and worked 20.2 scoreless frames in his last 21 appearances beginning 7/9…had a 0.48 ERA (1 ER/18.2 IP) in 20 appearances at the Sapporo Dome.

2016
Was a Pacific League All-Star and tied for 5th in the PL in saves (21 in 24 tries) in 1st NPB season…also had 19 holds…fanned 57 with just 7 BB in 50.2 IP…allowed runs in 6 of 52 games and did not permit an earned run (1 total run) over 27.1 IP in last 28 appearances beginning 6/15…did not pitch after 9/4 due to an ankle injury that sidelined him during Hokkaido's playoff run to the Japan Series championship.

2015
Made 24 relief appearances over 3 stints with NYY… opened the season with the Yankees and had a 3.55 ERA (5 ER/12.2 IP) over 15 games before going on DL on 5/9 with right elbow tendinitis…struck out the side in a perfect 5th inning in NYY debut on 4/6 vs. TOR, just the 2nd Yankees pitcher since 1914 to fan every batter faced in his team debut (min. 3 BF), joining RHP Edwar Ramirez (3K in his Major League debut on 7/3/07 vs. MIN)…earned lone ML save on 4/28 vs. TB… was activated and optioned to Scranton/Wilkes Barre (AAA) on 5/31…was also with NYY from 6/11-19 (5 ER/3.1 IP in 3 G) and 9/11-end of season (3 ER/4.2 IP in 6 G)…had 3 wild pitches in 1.0 IP, 6/13 at BAL…overall, allowed a run in 8 of 24 games and had 5 holds…posted a 3.18 ERA with 2 saves in 20 outings at SWB.

2014
Made his Major League debut with Colorado, posting a 6.89 ERA (15.2IP, 12ER) and 14K in 16 relief appearancesover two stints with the Rockies (4/25-5/20 and 6/5-21)…opponents batted .338 (22-for-65, 2HR); LH .333(8-for-24, 0HR), RH .341 (14-for-41, 2HR)…retired 10-of-16 ?rst batters faced (62.5%)…stranded each of his ?ve inherited runners... Was signed to a Major League contract and selected to Colorado's 25-man roster on 4/25…made his Major League debut on 4/26 at Los Angeles-NL, tossing 1.0 scoreless inning (1H, 1BB)... Also saw time with Triple-A Colorado Springs, going 1-3 with ?ve saves, a 4.39 ERA (26.2IP, 13ER) and 36K in 25 relief appearances... Was designated for assignment by Colorado on 1/5/15 and acquired by the Yankees in exchange for cash considerations on 1/13/15.
2013
Split the season between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket...began the season with Portland and tossed 21.0 scoreless innings in 12 games...Joined Pawtucket on 5/13 and went 3-3 with 2 saves over 30 games, all in relief...had a 3.18 ERA (51.0 IP, 18 ER) with Pawtucket...Spent the winter with Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Winter Leagues...picked up six saves for Leones in seven opportunities...did not receive a decision in his eight games and did not allow an earned run or walk.

2012
Returned to Double-A Portland and spent the entire campaign with the Sea Dogs...Began the season as a starter after primarily pitching as a reliever last year...Held left-handed opponents to a .215 AVG (28-for-130)...Recorded a season-high 8 strikeouts on 6/21 vs. Harrisburg...Went back to the bullpen on 8/1 after returning from his 2nd stint on the DL...After the season, went 1-0 with 2 holds, a 3.38 ERA (4 ER/10.2 IP), and 12 strikeouts compared to 1 walk in 7 appearances for Surprise of the Arizona Fall League.

2011
Had contract purchased from the Grand Prairie AirHogs of the independent American Association on 3/31...Went 6-2 with 4 saves and a 2.55 ERA (21 ER/74.0 IP) in 23 games between Single-A Greenville, High-A Salem, and Portland...Lasted at least 2.0 innings in 20 of 22 relief appearances...Earned 4 wins in 6 relief appearances for the Drive...Made only start on 6/24 at Lexington in final appearance for Greenville...Transferred to Salem on 6/29 and tied for 3rd on club with 4 saves...Sent to Portland on 8/19 and appeared in 3 games.

2010
Went 4-0 with a 1.96 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 36.2 innings for Grand Prairie.

*Courtesy ChicagoSportsHQ.com