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Third time with Oakland A’s the charm for Adrian Martinez

By David Hill

Sep 4, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Adrian Martinez (55) throws a third inning pitch against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Adrian Martinez (55) throws a third inning pitch against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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This time, everything is working as the Oakland A’s and Adrian Martinez would have hoped.

Martinez had displayed his potential during his major league debut, a spot start on May 10 when he fired 5.1 shutout innings. The eventually earned him a longer look during the summer, but a three start stretch where he allowed 16 runs in 14 innings sent him back to Triple-A. However, as the A’s are looking for pieces, he received another chance at the end of August.

Adrian Martinez showing he could be part of Oakland A’s future

Suffice to say that has been the case. Martinez’s strong showings have been enough for the A’s to move James Kaprielian to the bullpen, at least temporarily. Kaprelian should be a key part of the A’s future rotation, while Martinez is showing that could be the case for him as well.

It is a matter of sustaining the momentum built from his three most recent outings. He has been far better in this stint in the majors, allowing just three runs on ten hits and five walks over 15.2 innings, striking out 15 batters. Opponents have mustered a meager .182/.250/.255 batting line in 60 plate appearances as Martinez is settling in at the major league level.

It is also a performance that is giving the A’s hope. The A’s are going to need to find pitchers throughout the rotation, regardless of their future role. Even if Martinez is a back of the rotation arm, it is still one area that the A’s will not need to worry about moving forward.

That is what the final month will be about. Martinez has to prove that he can sustain this run for the rest of the season in order to position himself as a favorite for a place in the 2023 rotation. While he has been up and down during his seven major league games, one can hope that this current stretch is a sign of things to come.

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Adrian Martinez is in the midst of an excellent run for the Oakland A’s. They have to hope he can continue that stretch for the rest of the season.