Shairon Benjamin Martis (born March 30, 1987) is a Dutch-Curaçaoan professional baseball pitcher for Curaçao Neptunus of the Honkbal Hoofdklasse. He has previously pitched for the Washington Nationals and Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball. Martis was a member of the Netherlands in the 2006 World Baseball Classic and the 2013 World Baseball Classic, as well as the 2011 Baseball World Cup. He played for Team Netherlands in the 2019 European Baseball Championship, at the Africa/Europe 2020 Olympic Qualification tournament in Italy in September 2019.
| Shairon Martis | |
|---|---|
 Martis with the Washington Nationals | |
| Curaçao Neptunus | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: March 30, 1987 Willemstad, Curaçao | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 4, 2008, for the Washington Nationals | |
| MLB statistics (through 2013 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 6–7 |
| Earned run average | 5.35 |
| Strikeouts | 64 |
| CPBL statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 8–7 |
| Earned run average | 3.15 |
| Strikeouts | 67 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
Amateur and international career
editIn 2002, Martis was a member of the Curaçao team that claimed the Senior League World Series, which took place in Bangor, Maine.
Martis pitched a no-hitter on March 10, 2006, in the World Baseball Classic against Panama, in a game stopped in the 7th inning due to the mercy rule.[1]
He played for Team Netherlands in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
He played for Team Netherlands in the 2019 European Baseball Championship, and will compete for it at the Africa/Europe 2020 Olympic Qualification tournament, taking place in Italy beginning September 18, 2019. He represented the Netherlands national baseball team at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.[2]
Professional career
editSan Francisco Giants
editMartis was signed by the San Francisco Giants in 2004. In 2005, he pitched in 11 games with 5 starts. His record was 2–1 with a 1.85 ERA for the San Francisco Giants' Arizona Rookie League team. Martis began the 2006 season with Augusta in the Low A South Atlantic League, where he accrued a 6–4 record and 3.64 ERA in 15 starts. On July 28, 2006, Martis was traded to the Washington Nationals for veteran lefty reliever Mike Stanton.[3]
Washington Nationals
editOn July 28, 2006, the Nationals acquired Martis from the San Francisco Giants for veteran lefty reliever Mike Stanton.[3] He joined the Savannah Sand Gnats of the South Atlantic League on August 1. After going 1–1 with a 3.80 ERA in four starts at Savannah, Martis was promoted to the High-A Potomac Nationals. He pitched two games in Potomac, giving up 4 earned runs in 12 innings. He ended the season with one appearance for the Double-A Harrisburg Senators, allowing 7 runs in 5 innings.
In 2007, Martis pitched for Potomac the entire season. In 26 starts and one relief appearance, he logged a 4.23 ERA over 151 innings, striking out 108 batters while issuing 52 walks.
Martis started the 2008 in Harrisburg. After going 4–4 with a 3.98 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP in 14 starts, he was promoted on June 21 to Triple-A Columbus, where he went 1–2 with a 3.02 ERA in 7 starts, striking out 42 batters and walking 17. He was selected as a member of the World Team for the 2008 All-Star Futures Game at Yankee Stadium.
Martis was called up to the Nationals on September 2, with the intent of assigning him to the bullpen. However, an injury to starter Collin Balester opened a spot for Martis in the starting rotation. He made his major league debut September 4, 2008, against the Atlanta Braves. He gave up 2 runs in 5 innings, earning the loss. He struck out the first batter he faced, Gregor Blanco. Chipper Jones got the first hit off Martis. In his first plate appearance, he drew a walk from Braves rookie James Parr, who, like Martis, was also making his first major-league appearance. Martis struck out Parr in Parr's first at-bat earlier in the game.[4] Martis got his first major league win on September 23, 2008, against the Florida Marlins.[5]
On May 2, 2009, against the St. Louis Cardinals, Martis pitched his first career complete game,[6] which was the Nationals' first complete game since Pedro Astacio's in 2006 against the Atlanta Braves.
Martis was designated for assignment on January 24, 2011. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse on February 2. He elected free agency following the season on November 2.
Pittsburgh Pirates
editOn November 23, 2011, he signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.[7]
Minnesota Twins
editOn June 27, 2012, Martis was traded to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for cash or a player to be named later.[8] He had his contract selected to the major league roster on September 9, 2013, In 9.2 innings he struck out 7, working to a 5.59 ERA. He was sent outright to Triple-A Rochester Red Wings on October 2. He elected free agency following the season on October 7.
Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions
editOn February 26, 2014, Martis signed with the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.[9] He became a free agent following the season.
Bridgeport Bluefish
editOn May 20, 2015, Martis signed with the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He was released on June 1. He made 1 start suffering the loss going 0.2 innings giving up 7 hits 8 earned runs (108.00 ERA) with 2 walks and 1 strikeout.
Lincoln Saltdogs
editOn June 6, 2015, Martis signed with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent following the season. In 17 games (16 starts) he tossed 106 innings going 6-3 with a 3.74 ERA and 79 strikeouts also throwing 2 complete games and 1 shutout.
On February 15, 2016, Martis re-signed with the Saltdogs for the 2016 season. He became a free agent following the season. In 24 games (18 starts) he tossed 121.1 innings going 9-8 with a 3.34 ERA with 93 strikeouts and throwing 1 complete game shutout.
Baltimore Orioles
editOn April 6, 2017, Martis signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles. He was released on July 24.
Lincoln Saltdogs (second stint)
editOn July 27, 2017, Martis re-signed with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association. In 7 games (6 starts) he threw 40.1 innings going 4-1 with a 2.01 ERA and 32 strikeouts.
On February 17, 2018, Martis re-signed with the Saltdogs for the 2018 season. In 25 games (2 starts) he threw 41.1 innings going 3-5 with a 5.01 ERA and 32 strikeouts.
On February 14, 2019, Martis re-signed with the Saltdogs for the 2019 season. He was released on November 19. In 22 games (9 starts) he threw 65.2 innings struggling immensely going 2-7 with a 6.44 ERA with 38 strikeouts and 2 saves.
L&D Amsterdam
editOn February 23, 2020, Martis signed with L&D Amsterdam of the Honkbal Hoofdklasse for the 2020 season. In 11 games 13.2 innings of relief he went 1-0 with a 2.63 ERA with 16 strikeouts and 1 save.
On February 25, 2021, Martis re-signed with Amsterdam for the 2021 season. In 11 games (7 starts) he went 6-0 with a 0.91 ERA with 51 strikeouts throwing 1 complete game shutout and also picking up 1 save.
On February 11, 2022, Martis re-signed with Amsterdam for the 2022 season. He became a free agent following the season. In 17 games (8 starts) he went 6-1 with a 1.22 ERA with 72 strikeouts and 3 saves.
Curaçao Neptunus
editOn March 7, 2023, Martis signed with the Curaçao Neptunus of the Honkbal Hoofdklasse. In 17 starts 101.2 innings he went 8-3 with a 2.12 ERA with 88 strikeouts.
References
edit- ^ "Dutch Minor Leaguer No-Hits Panama". AP NEWS. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
- ^ "Grote namen in voorselectie Koninkrijksteam voor World Baseball Classic – HonkbalSoftbal.nl". HonkbalSoftbal.nl (in Dutch). January 10, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- ^ a b "Nationals acquire pitching prospect Shairon Martis from Giants in exchange for Mike Stanton". MLB.com. July 28, 2006. Archived from the original on November 11, 2007. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
- ^ "September 4, 2008 Washington Nationals @ Atlanta Braves Box Score". September 4, 2008.
- ^ "September 23, 2008 Florida Marlins @ Washington Nationals Box Score". September 23, 2008.
- ^ "May 2, 2009 St. Louis Cardinals @ Washington Nationals Box Score". May 2, 2009.
- ^ Langosch, Jenifer (November 23, 2011). "Pirates sign six players to Minor League deals". Archived from the original on December 29, 2011.
- ^ Williams, Tim (June 27, 2012). "Shairon Martis Traded to the Twins".
- ^ "Minor Moves: Shairon Martis". MLB Trade Rumors. February 26, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
External links
edit- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Pelota Binaria (Venezuelan Winter League)
- Shairon Martis – Official website