With their 2nd pick of the 2nd Round (56th overall), the Astros selected 6'2" 200lb Texas A&M RHP Corbin Martin. Martin graduated from Cy-Ranch. Martin made the 2016 All-Cape Cod League team as a closer, with a 1.15 ERA after striking out 22 batters (three walks) in 15.2IP.
MLB.com wrote that Martin has a 95-96mph fastball that can hit 98mph, and that:
His curveball can be just as nasty, featuring plenty of power and depth at its best, and he can also get swings and misses with his mid-80s slider...If he can't do a better job of harnessing his stuff, it's still good enough that he could be a late-inning bullpen weapon.
He was the 20th-ranked RHP, according to Baseball America, and 55th overall in their Top 500.
Martin joined A&M's rotation in late March, but spent most of his college career as a reliever. This season Martin threw 86IP, 84H/32ER, 94K:37BB and a .253 batting average-against. On May 19 Martin threw 8IP, 8H/2ER, 12K:1BB against #16 Arkansas.
Like his counterpart taken four picks earlier, Martin had success as a power-hitting outfielder, as well. John Sickels at MinorLeagueBall wrote:
He may not advance as quickly as some college arms, but there's upside here as a mid-rotation arm or as a power reliever.
Jake Kaplan said the Astros plan to stretch him out as a starter.
Click that link for some video, as well.
AstrosFuture profiled Martin back in April and wrote:
On one end, he has great stuff, a high-powered fastball and has had a solid season. On the other, he has struggled with command and has a career walk rate of 5.7 BB/9.
This pick came courtesy of the Cheatin'-Ass Cardinals. Thanks, Cardinals!
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
