Toronto Blue Jays new pitcher has a 102 MPH fastball
Photo credit: MILB.com
The wild part isn't that the Toronto Blue Jays have a pitcher who hits 102 MPH, it's that just a year ago, Colby Martin was playing Division III baseball as a second baseman.
The Toronto Blue Jays drafted Colby Martin in the 16th round of the 2024 MLB Draft, a remarkable rise for someone who was a Division III infielder just a year prior.
Blue Jays prospect can throw 102 MPH.
Eli Fishman from MILB writes that Colby Martin's impressive arm strength earned him tryouts with the Phillies, Red Sox, and Padres, the latter even inviting him to a showcase at Petco Park where he hit 99 MPH on the radar gun, despite having minimal pitching experience.
"Hopes of hearing his name called in the 2023 MLB Draft slipped away as rounds one through 20 came and went, but his disappointment didn't last long. The Padres came calling less than 20 minutes after the draft concluded and offered him a free-agent contract as a pitcher. Martin's dreams of playing professional baseball were about to come true." -Fishman
In 2024, Colby Martin pitched in nine games for the Dunedin Blue Jays, striking out eight over 8.2 innings but struggling with control, issuing 14 walks and hitting one batter.
Though he entered pro ball with only 25.2 collegiate innings under his belt and was competing against SEC and ACC talent who'd never done anything besides pitch, Martin's god-given gift of a right arm earned him Dunedin's closer role out of spring training in 2025.
"Now in 2025, Martin has opened the season with nine straight scoreless outings. In 9.1 innings, he's struck out 12, allowed one hit, and emerged as one of Minor League Baseball's most dominant relievers." -Fishman
Martin says a big part of his growing confidence on the mound comes from his throwing partner, Javen Coleman, a friendly left-hander from Texas.
"He's gotten me out of my shell. I feel amazing. Locked in and confident. I'm in a really good spot. The more I'm on the mound, the more comfortable I am.» -Martin
Martin doesn't need to boast about hitting 102 mph, his fastball speaks for itself.
"If someone else on this team did it, the whole world would know. But I'm not a big self-promoter. I just let it happen.» -Martin
Colby Martin understands how uncommon his journey has been, and for the first time, he's right where he belongs: on the pitcher's mound.
| POLL | ||
MAI 8 | 1684 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays new pitcher has a 102 MPH fastball Do you think Blue Jays prospect Colby Martin has a future in the MLB? | ||
| yes | 1213 | 72 % |
| no | 471 | 28 % |
| List of polls | ||
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