Ethan Martin

Martin received his first taste of the big leagues last season and the results were not pretty. He made seven starts for the Phillies and failed to go deep into most of his outings due to inefficiency and the lack of a serviceable third pitch. He was moved to the bullpen in September where he posted an 11:4 K:BB in seven innings. Martin's best asset is his mid-90s fastball, which plays well coming out of the bullpen. Most scouts believe that is where he belongs and the Phillies have not given any indication that they will move him back to a starting role. He will have a chance to win a job this spring, and he would be a dark horse to close for the Phillies if anything were to happen to Jonathan Papelbon.

Martin, acquired from the Dodgers in the Shane Victorino trade, went a combined 13-6 with a 3.48 ERA and a 147:79 K:BB ratio in 157.2 innings for his two Double-A clubs last season. The former first round pick made some strides in cutting back his walk rate, but more work is needed. He will likely open the year at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

The Dodgers' top pick in the 2008 amateur draft, Martin hasn't got off to the best of starts in his pro career. His already-shaky command took a nosedive in 2010, as the 21-year-old posted a 6.35 ERA and 6.5 BB/9IP for High-A Inland Empire. Granted, the California League is a tough environment for pitchers, but that is still an overly-high walk rate. Martin had strong strikeout rates in his two professional seasons (10.8 K/9IP in 2009 and 8.4 last year), but he's got a ways to go to regain his top prospect status. Expect a High-A repeat in 2011.

A minor knee injury delayed the former first-round pick's pro debut until 2009, and Martin responded well to the full-season assignment. He finished with a 3.87 ERA and 120:61 K:BB in 100 innings for Low-A Great Lakes with opposing batters hitting just .232 against him. Command was obviously the big issue, but Martin is just 20 and has plenty of time to make adjustments. He'll open 2010 in the thin air of the High-A California League, and ultimately has the ceiling of a No. 2 starter.

The Dodgers drafted Martin as the 15th overall pick in the 2008 draft. A high schooler out of Georgia, Martin was thought of more as a third baseman than a pitcher, but his mid-90's fastball and advanced secondary offerings were too much for the Dodgers to pass up. Martin suffered a knee injury shortly after signing in July, forcing his pro debut to wait until 2009. Martin is a ways away from the majors, but the future looks bright.