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45 - Martinez, Pedro
pitcher
Height: 5-11 Weight: 170 lbs. Throws: Right Bats: Right Born: October 25, 1971, Manoguayabo, Dominican Republic 2000 Season Just about the only category that Pedro Martinez didn't lead the American League in last year was wins, and that was primarily due to lack of run support. His ERA in August was 2.60, and that was his worst month. His overall ERA of 1.74 was 1.96 better than runner-up Roger Clemens. Martinez now leads all active starting pitchers in career winning percentage, earned run average, quality-start percentage, strikeout-walk ratio, hits allowed per nine innings, baserunners per nine innings and opponents batting average and slugging percentage. Pitching There isn't a pitcher in the game with better stuff. Martinez' incredibly quick arm generates fastballs up to 98 MPH, dumps low-80s changeups and snaps off nasty curveballs, all with precise control. He also can crank out a cutter, and he's shown he can succeed when he has an 88-MPH fastball because of his control and instincts. He's careful to get hitters off his plate, and he reads hitters as if he knows what they're trying to do. Jimy Williams and pitching coach Joe Kerrigan work hard to protect Martinez, and last year he made 14 starts on four days rest and 15 on five or more. Defense Martinez is a good fielder. He's quick off the mound and able to throw from any angle. Because of his instincts, he rarely makes mistakes in judgment throwing to the right base. He allowed 10 stolen bases, but Boston pitchers seldom slide step. He slows runners by holding the ball. He has a good move to first base because of his quick feet and arm. The way the Red Sox view it, they'd rather have Martinez strike out hitters than waste his time and energy throwing to bases.
