University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware Pitcher Chad Martin Signs with New York Yankees
6/16/2015 5:25:00 PM | Baseball
NEWARK, Del. -- University of Delaware pitcher Chad Martin, who was picked in the 30th round by the New York Yankees in last week's Major League Baseball Draft, has signed with the club and will join the organization this month.
Martin, a 6-4, 215 lb. right-hander from Darnestown, Md. (Quince Orchard High School), was the 903rd player selected overall and the 18th pitcher selected by the team.
“I am excited to make my start in professional baseball,” said Martin, who played two seasons for the Blue Hens and would have had junior eligibility in 2016. “I am glad that playing at the University of Delaware elevated my game to a level that prepared me to play at the next level.”
Martin will join other first-year players at the Yankees' minor league complex in Tampa, Fla. this month and will most likely begin his career in the Gulf Coast League for rookies.
Martin, an honor student as an engineering major, was the 82nd player in UD history to be drafted and the first since left-handed pitcher Brandon Hinkle was selected in the 34th round of the 2014 draft.
Martin was the eighth UD player selected by the Yankees, joining a list that includes pitcher Greg Diehl in 1974 (22nd round), pitcher Steve Taylor in 1977 (1st round), catcher Jeff Taylor in 1978 (9th round), pitcher Keith Garagozzo in 1991 (9th round) , infielder Mike Gomez in 1992 (14th round), pitcher Jeremy Benson in 1994 (27th round), and infielder Brian August in 1997 (18th round).
After sitting out during the 2013 season, Martin enjoyed an outstanding redshirt freshman campaign at Delaware in 2014 when he was selected to the Colonial Athletic Association All-Rookie Team and was named the league's rookie or pitcher of the week three times.
He made 13 starts and compiled a 5-5 record with a 5.35 earned run average and 46 strikeouts in 75.2 innings. He tossed two complete games, including a two-hit shutout over Fairfield in March.
This past season as a sophomore, he led the Blue Hens to their fourth straight CAA Tournament appearance as he pitched in 14 games with 11 starts and posted a 3-5 record and 6.75 ERA in 58.2 innings of work. He ranked second on the team with 62 strikeouts. Over two seasons, he has struck out 106 batters in 134.1 innings for an average of 7.1 strikeouts per nine innings.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Scott Selheimer | selheime@udel.edu | Office: 302-831-8007 | Cell: 302-562-5129
