Edgar Martinez

Martinez pitched the entire season at Double-A Portland, where he closed some for the Sea Dogs and was murder on lefties: .130 BAA, 14 hits in 33.2 IP. At 25, he's aged for the level, but was converted from a catcher in 2004, so it's quite natural for him to be where he is. He has a mid-90s fastball and an improving changeup and slider. He had trouble keeping the ball down, however, giving up nine homers in 69 IP, and had some control problems. We get the feeling the Red Sox are enhancing his trade value by having him close. He'll make the jump to Triple-A Pawtucket, but is unlikely to see Boston this season, if ever.

Martinez was signed as a catcher by Boston in 1998 and hit just .223 in his first six years. The Red Sox converted him to a relief pitcher in 2004 and he had a 59/20 K/BB rate in 52 1/3 innings between High-A Wilmington and Double-A Portland in his first full season as a pitcher in 2005. That was good enough to be named "At The Yard" magazine's Diamond in the Rough and be placed on Boston's 40-man roster. His best pitch is his fastball (topping at 97 mph) and he's developing a changeup and slider to get outs.