Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

Originally committed to East Carolina as a shortstop, Martin sporadically pitched as a reliever before making a handful of starts on the mound as a North Carolina high school senior in 2022. Los Angeles saw enough to take a flier on him in the 17th round, and his desire to join the organization led him to give up college for a $125,000 bonus. His stuff has made a significant jump since he started concentrating on pitching and began to add strength, and he posted a 2.04 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings in Single-A during his pro debut last summer.

Martin's fastball velocity increased from the low 90s in 2022 to 94-96 mph with a high of 98 in his first full year as a pro, and his heater comes with carry and armside run. He always has shown feel for spinning the ball and has added power to a mid-80s slider that features plenty of depth. His upper-80s changeup is a bit firm but continues to improve as he uses it more often, grading as a solid offering at its best.

The Dodgers loved Martin's athleticism when they scouted him as an amateur and haven't made any adjustments to his clean delivery. After showing the ability to throw all three of his pitches for strikes in 2023, he has fought his control and command throughout this season. He'll need to straighten out his strike-throwing and prove his durability but has the upside of a No. 3 starter.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

Martin originally committed to East Carolina as a shortstop and pitched infrequently as a reliever before getting a handful of starts on the mound as a North Carolina high school senior in 2022. That was enough to intrigue the Dodgers, who drafted him in the 17th round and signed him for $125,000. They hoped that he would take off as he focused on pitching and added strength, and he has done exactly that this summer in Single-A. 

After working with a low-90s fastball last spring, Martin has operated at 94-96 mph and touched 98 during his first full pro season, and his heater features carry and armside run. He always has shown aptitude for spinning the ball and has the makings of a second plus pitch in a mid-80s slider with good depth. He uses his changeup infrequently, mostly against left-handers, and it can get a bit firm in the upper 80s. 

A quality athlete, Martin entered pro ball with a clean delivery and Los Angeles hasn't had to make any mechanical adjustments. He throws all three of his pitches for strikes and the quality of his offerings as well as his control and command should continue to improve as he gets stronger. He'll need time to develop but could wind up in the front half of a big league rotation. 

Awards

CAL Pitcher of the Week

Week	Team
06/25/2023

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	06/06/2024	RHP Payton Martin assigned to Great Lakes Loons from Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
	05/01/2024	RHP Payton Martin assigned to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes from Dodgers Organization.
	04/02/2024	RHP Payton Martin assigned to Dodgers Organization from Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
	09/29/2023	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes activated RHP Payton Martin.
	07/22/2023	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes transferred RHP Payton Martin to the Development List.
	06/08/2023	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes activated RHP Payton Martin.
	05/30/2023	Rancho Cucamonga Quakes transferred RHP Payton Martin to the Development List.
	04/04/2023	RHP Payton Martin assigned to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes from ACL Dodgers.
	08/13/2022	RHP Payton Martin assigned to ACL Dodgers.
	08/01/2022	Los Angeles Dodgers signed RHP Payton Martin.