Martin, Orioles finalize contract
| Thursday, Jul 30 2009 10:54 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Jul 30 2009 10:56 PM
Loading Stories
Advertisement
Jarret Martin is ready to get back to his baseball addiction.
Martin and the Baltimore Orioles announced Thursday that they've agreed on a contract and that Martin will report next week to Baltimore for a physical and then to the organization's Rookie level team in Sarasota, Fla.
Martin, the Orioles' 18th-round draft pick in June, pitched and played outfield for Centennial and then a year for Bakersfield College. He was drafted as a left-handed pitcher but didn't pitch the last half of BC's season because of nagging elbow injuries.
"I haven't played a live game in a long time," Martin said. "I haven't been able to pitch even longer. I'm anxious; I tell my family I've been having withdrawal from not playing. It's just hard when you love the game so much."
The deadline for Major League Baseball teams to sign their draft picks is Aug. 17, and Martin knew he'd have to wait almost that long. He was asking the Orioles for a contract that paid more than "slot" value, the league's designated price for draft picks in each given round.
When Baltimore sent a scout to Martin's home earlier this week, they were ready to give Martin a deal very close to his asking price.
"It was right around where I was looking for," said Martin, who said the deal involved fourth-round slot money. "It also had schooling involved, so I'm getting money to play baseball and money to go to school. I'm confident this is where I want to go."
Had Martin and the Orioles not reached an agreement, he would have returned to BC for his sophomore year. Baltimore actually drafted Martin in the 19th round out of high school but never signed him.
Now he's ready to be a baseball lifer in the professional ranks.
"It's a great feeling," Martin said. "It's something I've always wanted to do, been my childhood dream my whole life. It's a big decision, from not going to school again ... but they gave me an offer I couldn't pass up."
