Kyle Martin (first baseman)

Kyle Martin
Martin with the Clearwater Threshers in 2016
Cleburne Railroaders – No. 33
First baseman
Born: (1992-11-13) November 13, 1992
Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Stats at Baseball Reference 
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
WBSC Premier12
2015 Tokyo Team

Kyle J. Martin (born November 13, 1992) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Cleburne Railroaders of the American Association of Professional Baseball. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the fourth round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft, and played in the 2015 WBSC Premier12.

Career

Amateur career

Martin attended Wade Hampton High School in Greenville, South Carolina.[1] He enrolled at the University of South Carolina and played college baseball for the South Carolina Gamecocks.[2] The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim selected Martin in the 20th round of the 2014 MLB draft,[3] but he did not sign with the Angels, opting to return to South Carolina for his senior year.[4] As a senior, Louisville Slugger named Martin a Second Team All-American.[5]

Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies selected Martin in the fourth round of the 2015 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft,[6][7] and he signed with the Phillies.[8] After signing, he was assigned to the Lakewood BlueClaws where he posted a .279 batting average with five home runs and 37 RBIs.

In 2016, Martin played for the Clearwater Threshers where he batted .250 with 19 home runs and 82 RBIs. In 2017, he played with the Reading Fightin Phils[9] where he batted .193 with 22 home runs and 68 RBIs.[10]

In the winter, Martin played for the Caimanes de Barranquilla of the Colombian Professional Baseball League. During the 2017–18 season he finished fourth in the LPB with nine doubles and won the Gold Glove as the league’s top defensive first baseman.[11] He also participated in a promotional Home Run Derby event alongside other local and international players.[12]

In 2018, with the Reading Fightin Phils and the Clearwater Threshers, he batted .198 with 10 home runs and 45 RBIs. Martin was released from the Phillies organization on May 28, 2019.[13]

Winnipeg Goldeyes

On June 5, 2019, Martin signed with the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. On January 28, 2020, Martin re-signed with Winnipeg. He led the league in RBIs with 51, while also belting 16 home runs in 60 games. He was named an American Association All-Star for the 2020 season.[14]

On January 20, 2021, Martin again re-signed with the Goldeyes.[15] He repeated as the league leader in RBIs with 106 and second in home runs with 31, which were both single-season franchise records for Winnipeg. He also earned a second-consecutive All-Star selection.[16]

Guerreros de Oaxaca

On December 20, 2021, Martin's contract was purchased by the Guerreros de Oaxaca of the Mexican League.[17] In 39 games, he batted .364/.480/.884 with a league-leading 18 home runs and 47 RBI. Martin also led all of professional baseball with a 1.365 OPS prior to his departure from the team.[18]

San Diego Padres

On June 8, 2022, the San Diego Padres signed Martin to a minor league contract and assigned him to the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas.[19] He played in 79 games for El Paso, hitting .257/.352/.529 with 17 home runs and 46 RBI. Martin elected free agency following the season on November 10.[20]

Guerreros de Oaxaca (second stint)

On March 28, 2023, Martin re-signed with the Guerreros de Oaxaca of the Mexican League.[21] In 86 games for the team, he batted .258/.363/.563 with 26 home runs and 75 RBI.[22]

During the 2024 season, Martin appeared in 72 games for Guerreros de Oaxaca, hitting .278/.388/.553 with 21 home runs and 68 RBI. He was selected to the 2024 Mexican Baseball League All-Star Game, where he hit a home run and competed in the Home Run Derby, leading the field with 14 home runs through the first two rounds before falling to Yasiel Puig in the final.[23]

Cleburne Railroaders

On January 28, 2025, Martin signed with the Cleburne Railroaders of the American Association of Professional Baseball.[24] In 96 games, he hit .279/.368/.593 with 29 home runs, 90 RBI, and four stolen bases.

He led the league in runs scored (77), home runs (29), and RBI (90), earning his third American Association All-Star selection. He also won the Home Run Derby, defeating Robbie Glendinning in the finals.[25]

York Revolution

On September 2, 2025, Martin was traded to the York Revolution of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in exchange for a player to be named later.[26] In nine appearances for the Revolution, he batted .333/.395/.641 with two home runs, seven RBI, and one stolen base. With York, Martin won the Atlantic League championship.[27]

Cleburne Railroaders (second stint)

On October 7, 2025, Martin was traded back to the Cleburne Railroaders to complete a prior transaction.[28] Martin was also selected by the Texas Tailgaters in the fourth round (third pick) of the Banana Ball draft.[29]

Career statistics

Blue background indicates league leader.

LMB statistics

Year Team G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA
2022 Oaxaca 39 152 121 40 44 9 0 18 47 3 1 26 33 .364
2023 Oaxaca 86 380 318 61 82 13 3 26 75 0 1 50 120 .258
2024 Oaxaca 72 322 273 55 76 12 0 21 68 5 0 42 70 .278
Career 197 854 712 156 202 34 3 65 190 8 2 118 223 .284

LMP statistics – Winter league

Year Team G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA
2021–22 Navojoa 53 222 180 33 47 5 0 17 43 0 0 31 58 .261
2024–25 Mochis 48 200 170 23 26 4 0 6 28 0 0 26 60 .153
Career 101 422 350 56 73 9 0 23 71 0 0 57 118 .209

Independent statistics

Year Team Lg G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA
2019 Winnipeg AA 82 341 287 60 79 19 1 14 67 8 4 44 44 .275
2020 Winnipeg AA 60 257 226 40 68 10 1 16 51 8 4 23 46 .301
2021 Winnipeg AA 99 434 371 76 104 25 2 31 106 8 1 49 82 .280
2025 Cleburne AA 96 410 351 77 98 21 1 29 90 4 0 45 79 .279
2025 York ATLL 9 43 39 11 13 6 0 2 7 1 1 3 6 .333
Career 346 1,485 1,274 264 362 81 5 92 321 29 10 164 257 .284

References

  1. ^ "Despite USC's struggles, Kyle Martin is happy with his senior season". Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  2. ^ [email protected], MATT CONNOLLY. "Martin makes most of opportunity for Gamecocks". Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  3. ^ "USC's Kyle Martin enters SEC Tournament as one of the league's best". May 18, 2015. Archived from the original on April 24, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  4. ^ Wood, Ryan (June 11, 2014). "Gamecocks' Kyle Martin puts pro dream on hold for one more shot at CWS". Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  5. ^ "USC's Kyle Martin named second team All-American". Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  6. ^ "USC's Kyle Martin drafted by Phillies". Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  7. ^ "Gamecocks' Kyle Martin fulfills dream, ready to play for favorite team Phillies". June 10, 2015.
  8. ^ "Kyle Martin not looking back after returning to USC for final year". Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  9. ^ Housenick, Tom. "Reading Fightins first baseman Kyle Martin looks to continue progression with family watching". Archived from the original on April 24, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  10. ^ "Kyle Martin Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  11. ^ "Liga Colombiana de Béisbol Profesional 2017-18". Wikipedia (in Spanish). Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  12. ^ "Colombia organiza Home Run Derby con jugadores de Grandes Ligas". El Caribe (in Spanish). Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  13. ^ "Kyle Martin Transactions". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  14. ^ "All-Star Kyle Martin Returns to Goldeyes for 2021". Minor League Sports Report. January 20, 2021.
  15. ^ "Minor MLB Transactions: 1/20/2021". January 21, 2021.
  16. ^ "HISTORIC SEASON EARNS MARTIN INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITY". goldeyes.com. December 20, 2021. Archived from the original on May 26, 2022. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
  17. ^ American Association Transactions
  18. ^ "Padres add Mexican League leader in HR's, Slugging, OPS". eastvillagetimes.com. June 8, 2022.
  19. ^ "Padres Sign Kyle Martin to Minor League Deal". June 8, 2022.
  20. ^ "2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  21. ^ "Guerreros: Kyle Martin está de regreso".
  22. ^ "Guerreros: Kyle Martin por su tercera temporada con Oaxaca". milb.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  23. ^ "Yasiel Puig gana el Home Run Derby". El Siglo de Durango (in Spanish). Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  24. ^ "2025 Transactions". aabaseball.com. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  25. ^ "Kyle Martin Home Run Derby Win". Instagram. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  26. ^ "2025 Transactions". aabaseball.com. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  27. ^ "York Revolution slug past High Point for repeat Atlantic League title". yorkdispatch.com. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  28. ^ "2025 Transactions". aabaseball.com. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  29. ^ "Texas Tailgaters select Martin in Banana Ball draft". Instagram. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
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