NSU Sharks News
J.D. Martinez Homers In NY-Penn All-Star Game
Former Sharks Outfielder Continues To Impress In 1st Professional Season
TROY, N.Y. (Aug. 24, 2009) - Former Nova Southeastern University outfielder J.D. Martinez (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) has continued to turn some heads in his professional baseball debut season, as evidenced by his solo home run in the fifth inning of the New York-Penn League All-Star game. In the second inning of the All-Star game Martinez flew out to deep centerfield but put the National League on the board in the fifth inning with a solo home run to left-field.
Martinez has showcased his power to the entire league joining the Tri-City ValleyCats on July 12. He has hit .312 with four home runs and 27 runs batted in 38 games with Tri-City. Combined with his numbers from the Greenville Astros Martinez has hit .348 with nine home runs and 50 RBI's in his 57 game minor league career.
A 2009 20th round selection by the Houston Astros, Martinez had one of the best single seasons at the plate in NSU Baseball history, batting .428 with 15 home runs and 57 runs batted in. He set a single season program record in runs scored (73) while placing second in batting average. He landed in the top ten in slugging percentage (.770), hits (80), home runs (15), RBI's (57), total bases (144) and walks (41). He set the NSU career home run record on April 17th vs. Barry University by hitting his 31st home run of his career. He was selected NCBWA 1st team All-America, 3rd team ABCA/Rawlings All-America and 2nd team Daktronics All-America. Martinez has also earned 2nd team All-SSC, 1st Team ABCA/Rawlings All-South Region, 1st team NCBWA All-South Region and 1st team DAKTRONICS All-South Region honors.
