The Chunichi Dragons have come to an agreement in principle and will sign 21-year-old left-hander Randy Martinez. The hurler’s best pitch is his fastball, which is clocked around 86 mph, but looks faster than than it is clocked to the batters, as well as a sharp curve. This season, as a starter with a the Vegueros de Pinar del Río he posted a S09 of 7.80 and an ERA of 4.21. He must definitely work on his control do to his 6.24 BB/9. The Softbank Hawks were also showed interest in Martínez earlier this year.
The team also revealed today that Raidel Martínez is officially a free agent. A bidding war for the right-hander is expected to begin almost immediately. In 58 innings pitched the season he fanned 59 batters and posted a miniscule 1.09, all while setting the NPB record for saves by a Latino in a season with 43. Expect the lanky hurler to receive a contract in the range of his countrymen and pitcher Liván Moinelo, who happens to be the league’s highest paid player.
In the case of another Chunichi pitcher, Frank Abel Álvarez, the team has decided not to pursue the pitcher making him a free agent. Sources tell me that Álvarez has garnered interest from teams all around Asia and the Caribbean, specifically México and Venezuela. Many scouts feel that Álvarez was misused and underdeveloped by the team’s minor league coaching staff. The right-hander sports a fastball in the 93-95 mph range, a nasty splitter and an array of good breaking pitches. With the proper tutelage Álvarez could become a force in what ever league he chooses to sign with.
There is no telling if the team will be able to re-sign Raidel Martínez, but Randy Martínez looks to be the replacement for Álvarez in the team’s development program. Martínez will be grouped with Christian Rodríguez and Carlos Moiner in the team’s minor league camp. Another move by the Dragons was letting long-time star Dayán Viciedo become a free-agent. Over his nine seasons with the Nippon squad he hit .287 with 139 homers and 549 RBIs, this also includes a batting title (2018), two golden glove awards and three all-star selections over that span.