NSU Sharks News

Former Sharks Outfielder Delivers Impressive Numbers In 1st Professional Season

TROY, N.Y. (Sept. 15 2009)  Former Nova Southeastern University outfielder J.D. Martinez (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) won the New York -Penn League batting title with a .326 average.

"I expected to do well," said Martinez. "It's still baseball. Getting off to a good start was definitely important because it made me feel like I belonged there. While the minor leagues are a grind, I'm excited to report to instructional ball on Thursday (Sept. 17th)."

Martinez qualified for the league batting title on the second to last day of the regular season (Players must have 2.7 plate appearances per team game). Martinez contributed 61 hits in 53 games for the Tri-City ValleyCats. He also tied for the team lead and third in the league with seven home runs. Martinez outlasted Auburn's Sean Ochinko who finished with a .324 batting average.

Martinez began his professional career with the Houston Astros rookie league affiliate Greeneville, but lasted just 19 games before being called up to the ValleyCats. Martinez hit .403 with Greeneville with five home runs and 23 RBI.

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.

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