Ethan Martin is a native of Stephens County Georgia.
photo by Tim Evearitt
PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies right-hander Ethan Martin began a Minor League rehab assignment on Sunday, pitching a scoreless inning with Class A Advanced Clearwater.
In 2012 he opened the season with the Lookouts where he was 8-6 with a 3.58 ERA and selected to the mid-season Southern League all-star team.
On July 31, 2012, the Dodgers traded Martin to the Philadelphia Phillies along with fellow right-handed pitcher Josh Lindblom for outfielder Shane Victorino.
After being the "workhorse" of the Triple-A Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, Martin was called up to the Major Leagues to make his debut against the Atlanta Braves on August 2, 2013. He allowed 6 runs in 4 1/3 innings to take the loss in his debut.
Martin earned his first Major League victory on August 8, 2013 with a 12-1 victory over the Cubs. He allowed one run over 5 innings. After seven starts in which he amassed a 2–4 record with a 6.90 ERA, Martin was sent to the bullpen. At that time, Phillies veteran pitcher Roy Halladay gave him a baseball card that showed the 2000 season in which Halladay posted a 10.64 ERA, encouraging Martin to understand even the best pitchers have rough spots.[5]
Entering spring training in 2014, Martin was in major league camp, and was expected to compete for a spot on the major league roster, either as a starter or a reliever, however he left his first spring training appearance due to discomfort in his throwing shoulder – though in 2013 his fastball averaged 93.2 miles per hour, it reached only 85 miles per hour during the appearance.
Martin, ranked No. 8 on MLB.com's Top 20 Phillies Prospects list, began the season on the 15-day disabled list after straining his right shoulder during Spring Training. He started eight games for the Phillies last year, but the club decided to send him to the bullpen after his injury. In addition to building arm strength during his rehab assignment, Martin still needs some seasoning as a reliever.
"Yeah, just monitor him, see what he looks like," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said Monday. "There's some grooming there, but it'll also allow him to build his arm up at a reasonable pace, reasonable time frame, but also keep tabs on him."
---- Source: MLB.com and Wikipedia