Martis is a RHP with the Washington Nationals. He started the season with a decent 5-3 record. It was his stats that probably lead to his demotion. Even though he is considered a ground ball pitcher. He threw 34K/39BB in 85 innings thrown. ERA of 5.25. Now when he went back to Triple AAA he did a lot better. 4-4 for the season but 32K/13 BB ratio. He would have gotten the september call up if he hadn’t already thrown over 160 innings. The Nationals wise in holding him until next season since he is only 22 years old. He also took his fastball from the high 80s to 94 mph this season. This kid will be back. Anyway i was happy to pull his short rookie out of a 2009 A&G pack.

Being a Rice Owl Fan. Getting this card is very exciting to my little card collection.  I decided to plop down the Alexander Hamilton (ok I paypal-ed it!) because I wanted this card really bad. The Owl logo with the signature is a must have to me. What a beautiful card! The signature is nice! Would have been great if it was the 12/50 card (college jersey was 12) but I had settle for the 9/50 card.

You can’t beat what an outstanding young man this is now and what he is going to be. At one time a chicago white soxs minor league product to a freshman 23 year old player at Rice to a 5th round steal for the Houston Texans. I am not sure of his nickname besides “rook” or “rookie” in the pros. On the owl messages boards he is known as “Thor” and among some of his college friends/athletes as “Superman”.  Charles Atlas would be envious of this player’s physique. Texans may have Owen Daniels as the TE receiving option but don’t be surprised to see this young man get some chances on making some big catches.

Pulled #1544 out of 2008 out a mini box of 2008 Topps Baseball. I really like opening these. 1. They are a bargain. 2. Even though its base topps you can get some nice looking limited cards.

In case you wondering of some of his auto cards. Here is a nice one off ebay.

Drafted: 2006 by Oakland A’s 188th overall

College: Wagner 2.03 ERA 44 Innings 53 Strikeouts in his 2006 season. Had Tommy John surgery done in 2005.

Scouts like his power and evidently the As have worked on his delivery from his college form.

Having an outstanding season with the As. 5-3 Record, 2.01 ERA, 66 innings pitched, 74 strikeouts. Candidate for AL R.O.Y.

Here a few of his auto cards on ebay.

Heh, I wonder who gets the bad number of 66# of 999? Does Upper Deck really print that number? I mean some buildings don’t have a 13th floor so the doctor’s clinics won’t be jinx lol. Anyway i like short print. There is a few autos out there on Ebay with a shorter print rookie card. That is kinda of cool.

Shorter print Gold Border card. I also received a few more Jaso Rookies in a mini box break.

Drafted in the 12th Round by the Devil Rays in 2003. Drafted from his Southwestern JC team in California.

Minors: He has spent a good 6 years in the minors. Made one of the all star teams (midseason-postseason in case you didn’t know) consecutively from 2004 to 2008. In 2008, he hit .273.. 12 Hrs and 67 RBIs. For his hard work he was brought up in September and saw five games of action in the majors. He has had some injury but is a solid left handed bat. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him brought up again in September.

Majors: Saw 5 games of action last September 2008. Hernandez is backup right now at backstop. Jaso is more of a DH at times. That job has been to Aybar and Dillon at the moment. Like I said, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jaso get a shot again this September.

Drafted in 2006 by the Blue Jays right out of high school.

The Jays looking for serious “pop” with this guy. A left handed batter that can really stroke the ball.

Minor League: Hit .275 with 23Hr and 91 RBIS in 2008. He was called up to the majors with this performance. Currently he is back in AAA to refine his skills since the Jays have Adam Lind putting up 20 dingers so far this season in LF.

Major League: In 2008, Snider hit .304 in 24 games with 2 HRs and 13 RBIs. In 2009, avg .242 with 3 HRs and 12 RBIs. Lind is just knocking th cover off the ball right now.

Snider is crazy young and an absolute stud. 21 year old in the Majors.. not many get to do that. He will get his chance to be a 20-30HRs guy in the future with the Jays or another team. I pulled a couple of his cards so far in the bowman series.

Uh Wow Scanner isn’t a big fan of the refractor cards.

Minor League Career: Was drafted by the Padres is 2006 as a ninth rounder. Drafted out of the University South Alabama. Traded to the cardinals for Jim Edmonds in 2007.  Had an excellent 2008 with the AAA Memphis Redbirds. Hit .306  26 HRs and 91 RBIs

College: Batted .414  12 HRs with 73 RBIs his senior season with South Alabama.

Major League: Seen 11 games this year. Thurston is getting the playing time with Troy Glaus being injured. Freese is young and should see some more playing time in the future in the bigs.