Imagine a once-promising pitching prospect, derailed by injuries, now getting one last shot at redemption. 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. After bouncing on and off the Baltimore Orioles’ roster in 2025, he logged just 18 innings, surrendering 15 runs (12 earned). Despite this, his career ERA dipped slightly to 6.54 across 75 2/3 innings over 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’s control issues have been his Achilles’ heel, even after showing promise earlier in his career.
A former second-round pick by the Houston Astros, Martin was once a highly touted prospect, later acquired by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Zack Greinke trade. However, injuries—including Tommy John surgery in 2019 and a torn lat tendon in 2023—sidetracked his development. Standing at 6’2″, Martin possesses a mid-90s fastball, a slider, and a curveball—a toolkit that should, in theory, generate strikeouts. Yet, his inability to consistently command the strike zone has held him back, with walk rates exceeding 12% in both the majors and Triple-A.
The Cubs, however, see enough raw talent to warrant a closer look. By offering him a non-roster deal, they’re essentially giving him a low-risk audition. To earn a spot in Craig Counsell’s bullpen, Martin will need to harness his stuff and improve his control. But here’s the controversial part: With his minor league options exhausted, the Cubs must either keep him on the major league roster or risk losing him on waivers if they call him up. Is this a calculated gamble or a desperate move? Only time will tell.
What do you think? Can Corbin Martin turn his career around, or is this just another chapter in a story of unfulfilled potential? Let us know in the comments below!
