The pitcher from Pinar del Río, Raidel Martínez, held his first training session with the Cuban team ahead of his participation in the Premier 12. Without a doubt, the incorporation of the flamethrower from Pinar del Río, Cuba is a positive for the Cuban team. Martínez recently spoke with the Cuban press in Taiwan where Team Cuba is putting the finishing touches on its preparation for the event that begins for the Cubans on November 13.
“It was a good year for me in Japan. This is thanks to the good work I did in Cuba before the start of the season and we trained hard from the first day of training camp in Japan. I always stayed in contact with the coaches and my teammates. I watched the games in Korea through the links they sent me and I was able to analyze the Korean hitters and how we performed in each game, said Martínez about his preparation for the Premier 12.
“I am ready to help the team in whatever way is needed, it is important to start on a winning note. The important thing is to keep myself healthy so I can be at a hundred percent when it is necessary for me to throw.” We are a young team, but very talented. We want to put on a good show in the Premier 12 and when the missing guys join in, the offense will get better.”
Martínez was the NPB Pacific League saves leader with an impressive total of 43 saves. This milestone not only represents a personal record for the talented Cuban reliever, but also establishes a new mark for Latin pitchers in one of the most competitive circuits in world baseball. With 58 innings this season, the right-hander has shown exceptional ability to dominate the opposing team hitters. Allowing just six runs in that period reflects not only his ability to shut down hitters, but also his ability to remain focused and effective in high-pressure situations.
His 59 strikeout statistic underscores his ability to make hitters face his pitches without finding a way to make contact, which is a direct testament to his talent and training. One of the metrics that stands out in his performance is his ERA, which has fell to 1.09 last year. This is number that places Martínez among the best pitchers in the league and distinguishes him as an elite reliever.
In addition to what was stated above, he has made 165 saves in his NPB career, placing him as the all-time leader among foreign closers in the league. If he returns to the land of the rising sun next season, his legend will only continue to grow and why not think he can be part of the Japan Series winning team, depending on who he signs with.