Cuban pitcher Raidel Martínez was selected to participate in the Japan All-Star Series, according to the official website of the Japanese Professional Baseball League. For the Cuban, this is another milestone in a distinguished career, one that is on track not only to become the best foreign closer in history but also to be a candidate for the Hall of Fame when he retires.
Martínez tied the Central League record of 31 consecutive scoreless appearances since the start of the season, a mark set in 2016 by his former Chunichi teammate, Shinji Tajima, before allowing the first run in his final outing. The hurler now has 26 saves and a 1-1 record so far this season, making himself the best closer in the entire Japanese circuit over the last five years. Martínez continues to use few pitches in his outings, demonstrating his great command over his pitches and his opponents. His command is so great that in two of his last three outings, he has used nine pitches.
The signing of his record-breaking contract and his performances with the most iconic franchise in Japanese baseball, the Yomiuri Giants proves that management was right in betting on the “flamethrower” from Pinar del Río. In 30.2 innings this season, his opponents have allowed scored only one run against him. His 31 consecutive scoreless outings are the all-time record for his franchise and equal the NPB record. In that span, he has struck out a total of 33 batters and his control has been such that he has only issued nine walks. The flamethrower’s WHIP is 0.92, while he has a strikeout rate of 9.78 per nine innings and his earned run average is 0.29.