Imagine a once-promising pitching prospect, derailed by injuries, now getting one last shot at the big leagues. The Chicago Cubs have signed right-hander Corbin Martin to a minor league deal, as reported by Marquee’s Lance Brozdowski. This move signals the Cubs’ willingness to take a chance on a player whose career has been marked by both potential and setbacks. At 30 years old, Martin will likely receive a non-roster invitation to MLB spring training, giving him an opportunity to prove himself once again.
But here’s where it gets intriguing: Martin’s journey has been anything but smooth. During the 2025 season, he shuffled in and out of the Baltimore Orioles’ major league roster, ultimately pitching just 18 innings while allowing 15 runs (12 earned). Despite this, his career ERA actually dipped slightly to 6.54 over 75 2/3 innings across four seasons. His struggles weren’t limited to the majors; in Triple-A Norfolk, he posted a 5.82 ERA in 34 appearances, striking out 22.5% of batters but walking a staggering 13.6%.
And this is the part most people miss: Martin was once a highly touted prospect. Drafted in the second round by the Houston Astros, he later became a key piece in the Zack Greinke trade to the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, injuries—including Tommy John surgery in 2019 and a torn lat tendon in 2023—sidetracked his career. His control, once a strength in the minors, has become his Achilles’ heel, with walk rates exceeding 12% in both the majors and Triple-A.
But here’s the controversial part: The Cubs are betting on his raw talent. Martin’s fastball consistently sits in the 95-96 MPH range, and he complements it with a slider and curveball—a repertoire that, in theory, should generate strikeouts. Yet, his inability to consistently command the strike zone has held him back. For him to earn a spot in Craig Counsell’s bullpen, he’ll need to find that consistency—and fast.
Adding to the stakes, Martin has exhausted his minor league options, meaning the Cubs must either keep him on the major league roster or risk losing him on waivers if they call him up. This deal is a low-risk, high-reward gamble for Chicago, but it raises a thought-provoking question: Can a pitcher with such electric stuff but shaky control ever truly turn it around at the highest level?
What do you think? Is this a smart move by the Cubs, or are they setting themselves up for disappointment? Let us know in the comments!
