Oscar Martinez (minors06)

Oscar Andres Martínez

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 180 lb.

• Born October 7, 1978 in Acarigua Venezuela

BR Minors page

Oscar Martínez was 17-15 in the minor leagues.

Martínez debuted in 1996 with the GCL Yankees, allowing 22 hits and 19 runs in only 9 2/3 IP. In '97, he was 3-5 with a 4.42 ERA for Maracay 2 of the Venezuelan Summer League. The right-hander went 7-3 with a 2.62 ERA for La Pradera in the 1998 VSL. He was one win shy of the league lead.

Returning to the USA in 1999, the 20-year-old had a 2-1, 1.85 record with 9 saves for a much better second stint with the GCL Yanks. He struck out 29 in 24 1/3 IP. He was one save behind Gulf Coast League leader Buddy Yen. In 2000, Oscar was even better, going 2-0 with 13 saves and a 0.36 ERA for the Staten Island Yankees. He allowed only 11 hits in 25 innings while striking out 40.

With the Tampa Yankees in 2001, Martínez was 2-3 with 14 saves and a 3.07 ERA. Returning to Tampa for 2002, the right-hander fell to 1-3, 7.54, a dramatic decline. It was his last year in the minors.

Martínez pitched for the Venezuelan national team in the 2006 Americas Qualifiers for the 2008 Olympics; he pitched only two innings in five games, allowing two runs, and registering one save. He was one of Venezuela's top hurlers in the 2007 Pan American Games, tossing 4 2/3 shutout innings and allowing only two hits but walking four.