Riley Martin (baseball)

Riley Martin
Martin with the Iowa Cubs in 2023
Chicago Cubs – No. 51
Pitcher
Born: (1998-03-19) March 19, 1998
Salem, Illinois, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
April 6, 2026, for the Chicago Cubs
MLB statistics
(through April 23, 2026)
Win–loss record0–0
Earned run average2.16
Strikeouts10
Teams

Riley Cole Martin (born March 19, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2026.

Career

Martin played college baseball at Quincy University.[1] In his final season with the Hawks he went 9–3 with a 3.55 ERA and struck out 152 batters over 78+2⁄3 innings pitched.[2]

Martin was selected in the sixth round of the 2021 MLB draft by the Chicago Cubs.[3] He was assigned to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Low-A East after signing with the team. Martin returned Myrtle Beach at the start of the 2022 season before being promoted to the South Bend Cubs of the High-A Midwest League.[4] He split the 2023 season between the Double-A Tennessee Smokies and the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. Martin spent the entire 2024 season with the Iowa Cubs, appearing in 43 games and going 4–4 with a 4.48 ERA.[5]

Martin made 47 appearances for Triple-A Iowa in 2025, posting a 6–2 record and 2.69 ERA with 80 strikeouts and four saves across 63+2⁄3 innings pitched. On November 18, 2025, the Cubs added Martin to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[6][7]

Martin was optioned to Triple-A Iowa to begin the 2026 season.[8] The Cubs promoted Martin up to the major leagues for the first time on April 5, 2026.[9] On April 28, Martin was ruled out for at least eight weeks due to left elbow inflammation.[10]

References

  1. ^ "The Life of Riley: Hawks' ace honors legacy of his best friend throughout his own legendary pitching career". Herald-Whig. May 8, 2022. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  2. ^ "Iowa Cubs: Riley Martin was planning to go to pharmacy school. Then the Cubs came calling". The Des Moines Register. June 5, 2025. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  3. ^ "QU's Martin selected by Cubs in MLB Draft". Hannibal Courier-Post. July 13, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  4. ^ "Former QU star Martin makes impact in minors". Herald-Whig. June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  5. ^ Schuckman, Matt (February 10, 2025). "Former QU ace Martin moves one step closer to big leagues as non-roster invitee to Cubs' spring training". MuddyRiverSports.com. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  6. ^ Bastian, Jordan (November 18, 2025). "Ramirez, Triantos head prospect trio added to Cubs' 40-man roster". MLB.com. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
  7. ^ Martinez, Andy (November 18, 2025). "Cubs add three players to 40-man roster, protect them from Rule 5 Draft". Marquee Sports Network. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
  8. ^ "Cubs news: 9 players cut from Spring Training roster". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  9. ^ "Cubs' Cade Horton placed on 15-day IL, set for tests on arm". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 5, 2026. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
  10. ^ "Cubs' Riley Martin To Miss Eight Weeks". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
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