Colby Martin: From Division III Infielder to 102 MPH Pitcher

DUNEDIN, FL – Colby Martin, a former Division III second baseman, has made headlines after transitioning to a pitcher in the Toronto Blue Jays farm system, throwing an impressive 102 MPH. The Lititz, Pennsylvania native bounced around various DIII programs, eventually landing at Shenandoah University, where he was an All-American second baseman in 2021.

Martin’s journey took a turn after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2022. Although he returned to the infield and earned All-American honors again in 2023, he also received opportunities to pitch. Despite a rough start, with a 16.20 ERA in three appearances, his fastball began to capture attention after he hit 100 MPH.

When a Philadelphia Phillies scout texted him, Martin initially thought it was a joke. “Most DIII players go their whole careers without ever being seen by a pro scout,” he said. The intrigue surrounding his arm secured him tryouts with several MLB teams, including the Padres, who invited him to showcase his talents at Petco Park.

Unfortunately, Martin went undrafted in the 2023 MLB Draft, but the Padres reached out within 20 minutes after its conclusion, offering him a free-agent contract. He was thrilled to begin his professional career but faced disappointment once again after an MRI canceled his signing due to concerns about his elbow.

After leaving the Padres’ facility in tears, Martin faced a tough decision. With no other teams showing interest, he decided to return to school. He enrolled at Southeastern University in Florida to focus exclusively on pitching. There, his skills flourished, allowing him to throw competitive pitches and touch 102 MPH.

His notable performance led to his selection by the Blue Jays in the 16th round of the 2024 MLB Draft. Unlike his previous experience, this time the Blue Jays performed a more favorable MRI, allowing him to begin his professional journey. Martin joined the Dunedin Blue Jays and quickly earned a spot as the team’s closer.

This 2025 season, Martin has started strong with nine consecutive scoreless outings. Over 9.1 innings, he has struck out 12 batters and allowed only one hit, establishing himself as a dominant force in Minor League Baseball. “I feel amazing. Locked in and confident. The more I’m on the mound, the more comfortable I am,” he stated.

Martin attributes his newfound confidence to his teammate Javen Coleman, who has helped him adapt to the professional environment. Dunedin’s manager, Gil Kim, praised Martin’s work ethic, saying, “He hasn’t been handed anything. He’s had to work for everything and that shows in how tough and convicted he is.”

As Martin continues his baseball journey, he remains humble about his extraordinary talent. “I’m not a big self-promoter. I just let it happen,” he said. Now, after a challenging path, he feels he is finally on the right track—for the first time, he’s exactly where he belongs: on the mound.