Shairon Martis

Shairon Martis
Martis with the Washington Nationals
Neptunus – No. 39
Pitcher
Born: (1987-03-30) March 30, 1987
Willemstad, Curaçao
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 4, 2008, for the Washington Nationals
MLB statistics
(through 2013 season)
Win–loss record6–7
Earned run average5.35
Strikeouts64
Stats at Baseball Reference 
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Netherlands
Baseball World Cup
2011 Panama Team
European Championship
2007 Spain Team
2016 Hoofddorp Team
2019 Bonn Team
2021 Turin Team
2025 Rotterdam Team
2023 Czechia Team

Shairon Benjamin Martis (SHY-ron mar-TEES,[1] born March 30, 1987) is a Dutch-Curaçaoan professional baseball pitcher for Neptunus of the Honkbal Hoofdklasse. He pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals in 2008 and 2009 and Minnesota Twins in 2013. He played for the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions of the Taiwanese Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) in 2014. After several years in American independent baseball, he came to the Dutch Hoofdklasse in 2020.

Martis has pitched for the Netherlands national team in several international tournaments. He threw a no-hitter in the 2006 World Baseball Classic (WBC) and has pitched in the WBC in 2013, 2017, 2023, and 2026. He was on the Dutch team that won the 2011 Baseball World Cup and five European Championships and competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Amateur career

In 2002, Martis was a member of the Curaçao team that won the Senior League World Series championship in Bangor, Maine. He was teammates with Jair Jurrjens and Sharlon Schoop.[2]

Professional career

San Francisco Giants

Martis was signed by the San Francisco Giants in 2004. In 2005, he pitched in 11 games with 5 starts. His record was 2–1 with a 1.85 ERA for the Giants' Arizona Rookie League team. Martis began the 2006 season with Augusta in the Low A South Atlantic League, where he accrued a 6–4 record and 3.64 ERA in 15 starts.[3]

Washington Nationals

On July 28, 2006, the Nationals acquired Martis from the San Francisco Giants for veteran left-handed reliever Mike Stanton.[3] Martis joined the Savannah Sand Gnats of the South Atlantic League on August 1. After going 1–1 with a 3.80 ERA in four starts at Savannah, he was promoted to the High-A Potomac Nationals. He pitched two games in Potomac, giving up 4 earned runs in 12 innings. He ended the season with one appearance for the Double-A Harrisburg Senators, allowing 7 runs in 5 innings.

In 2007, Martis pitched for Potomac the entire season. In 26 starts and one relief appearance, he logged a 4.23 ERA over 151 innings, striking out 108 batters while issuing 52 walks.

Martis started the 2008 in Harrisburg. After going 4–4 with a 3.98 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP in 14 starts, he was promoted on June 21 to Triple-A Columbus, where he went 1–2 with a 3.02 ERA in 7 starts, striking out 42 batters and walking 17. He was selected as a member of the World Team for the All-Star Futures Game at Yankee Stadium.

Martis was called up to the Nationals on September 2, with the intent of assigning him to the bullpen. However, an injury to starter Collin Balester opened a spot for Martis in the starting rotation. He made his major league debut September 4, against the Atlanta Braves. He gave up 2 runs in 5 innings, earning the loss. He struck out the first batter he faced, Gregor Blanco. Chipper Jones got the first hit off Martis. In his first plate appearance, he drew a walk from Braves rookie James Parr, who, like Martis, was also making his first major-league appearance. Martis struck out Parr in Parr's first at-bat earlier in the game.[4] Martis got his first major league win on September 23, against the Florida Marlins.[5]

On May 2, 2009, against the St. Louis Cardinals, Martis pitched his first career complete game,[6] the Nationals' first complete game since Pedro Astacio in 2006.[7] Martis started the season with a 5–0 record but then faltered and was optioned to Triple-A on June 28.[8][9] Martis had a career-high 85+2⁄3 innings pitched in MLB, with a 5–3 record and 5.25 ERA.[10]

Martis spend all of 2010 in Triple-A Triple-A Syracuse, leading the team in wins, strikeouts, starts, and innings pitched.[9] He was designated for assignment by the Nationals on January 24, 2011. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the minors on February 2. He pitched in Double-A all season. He threw a seven-inning no-hitter on August 26, which earned him the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week award. He elected free agency following the season on November 2.[1]

Pittsburgh Pirates

On November 23, 2011, Martis signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.[11][12] He began the 2012 season in Triple-A, went on the disabled list in mid-April with elbow inflammation, then was sent down to the Double-A Altoona Curve.[1]

Minnesota Twins

On June 27, 2012, Martis was traded to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for cash or a player to be named later.[13] On November 20, he re-signed with the Twins on a minor league contract.[14] The Twins added him to the major league roster on September 9, 2013.[15] In 9+2⁄3 innings in his last stint in the majors, he had a 5.59 ERA and 7 strikeouts. He was sent outright to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings on October 2. He elected free agency on October 7.[16]

Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions

On February 26, 2014, Martis signed with the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.[17] He was 8–7 with a 3.15 ERA in 28 games, 23 of them starts.[10]

Bridgeport Bluefish

On May 20, 2015, Martis signed with the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He made one start for the Bluefish, taking the loss after allowing eight earned runs on seven hits with one strikeout over 2⁄3 of an inning.[10] Martis was released by the team on June 1.[18][19]

Lincoln Saltdogs

On June 6, 2015, Martis signed with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association of Professional Baseball.[19] In 17 games (16 starts) for Lincoln, he compiled a 6–3 record and 3.74 ERA with 79 strikeouts across 106 innings pitched. Martis became a free agent following the season.

On February 15, 2016, Martis re-signed with the Saltdogs. In 24 games (18 starts), he registered a 9–8 record and 3.34 ERA with 93 strikeouts over 121+1⁄3 innings pitched. Martis became a free agent after the season.

Baltimore Orioles

Following the 2017 World Baseball Classic, Martis signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles on April 6.[20] In 8 games for the Triple-A Norfolk Tides, he had a 4.38 ERA with 8 strikeouts across 12+1⁄3 innings pitched. The Orioles organization released Martis on July 24.[21]

Lincoln Saltdogs (second stint)

On July 27, 2017, Martis re-signed with the Lincoln Saltdogs.[22] In 7 games (6 starts), he threw 40+1⁄3 innings with a 4–1 record, 2.01 ERA, and 32 strikeouts. On February 17, 2018, Martis re-signed with the Saltdogs, one of four Netherlands national team players to join the team.[23] He was released by the team in late May but re-signed in June.[24][25] In 25 games (2 starts), he accumulated a 3–5 record and 5.01 ERA with 32 strikeouts across 41+1⁄3 innings pitched. Martis returned to the Saltdogs in 2019.[26] In 22 games (9 starts) for Lincoln, he struggled to a 2–7 record and 6.44 ERA with 38 strikeouts and 2 saves across 65+2⁄3 innings pitched.[10] The Saltdogs released Martis on November 19.[27]

Amsterdam Pirates

In February 2020, Martis signed with Amsterdam Pirates of the Honkbal Hoofdklasse.[28] In 11 games, he had a 2.63 ERA, 16 strikeouts, and 1 save across 13+2⁄3 innings of relief. In 11 games (7 starts) in 2021, he posted a 6–0 record with a 0.91 ERA with 51 strikeouts over 49+1⁄3 innings pitched. Martis returned to Amsterdam for a third consecutive season in 2022. In 17 games (8 starts), he had a 6–1 record, 3 saves, 1.22 ERA, and 72 strikeouts across 73+2⁄3 innings of work.[10]

Neptunus

After the 2022 season, Martis signed with the Neptunus of the Honkbal Hoofdklasse.[29] In 17 starts for the Rotterdam team, he had an 8–3 record, 2.12 ERA, and 88 strikeouts across 101+2⁄3 innings pitched.[10] In 2024, he tied for the league lead with 12 wins and was among the league leaders with a 1.53 ERA, 106 innings pitched, and 88 strikeouts.[30] Martis led the league with 15 wins, 7 shutouts, and 117+2⁄3 innings pitched in 2025, also ranking in the top 10 in ERA and strikeouts.[31]

International career

Martis has pitched for the Netherlands national team in international tournaments. He holds the World Baseball Classic (WBC) career record with 28+1⁄3 innings pitched.[32][33] He pitched a no-hitter against Panama in the 2006 WBC, with the game on March 10 stopped after seven innings due to the mercy rule.[34][35][36] He pitched for the Dutch in the WBC in 2013, 2017, 2023, and 2026.[37] Over five tournaments, he has a 1.59 ERA in 10 games, allowing four of his five earned runs in 2013.[33] (He was absent from the 2009 WBC because he was in spring training with the Washington Nationals, seeking a starting rotation spot.)[38]

Martis went 0–2 with a 6.75 ERA in the 2008 Summer Olympics.[1][39]

Martis was part of the Dutch team that won the 2011 Baseball World Cup, earning a win against Chinese Taipei and going 1–0 with a 1.35 ERA in two games.[40][41][42] He played for the Netherlands in the European Championship in 2007, 2016, 2021, 2023, and 2025. He earned the win in the 2025 championship game.[43]

Martis pitched once for the Netherlands in the Africa/Europe 2020 Olympic Qualification tournament.[44][45] He pitched in the first three editions of the WBSC Premier12 in 2015, 2019, and 2024[46][47] and in the 2022 and 2024 Haarlem Baseball Week.[47]

Personal life

Martis is married and has a son. They reside in Leiden.[41]

Martis began playing baseball as a seven year old.[36]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Minnesota Twins 2013 Media Guide. 2013. p. 87.
  2. ^ "Latin America 2002". bangorinfo.com. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Nationals acquire pitching prospect Shairon Martis from Giants in exchange for Mike Stanton". MLB.com. July 28, 2006. Archived from the original on November 11, 2007. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  4. ^ "September 4, 2008 Washington Nationals @ Atlanta Braves Box Score". September 4, 2008.
  5. ^ "September 23, 2008 Florida Marlins @ Washington Nationals Box Score". September 23, 2008.
  6. ^ "May 2, 2009 St. Louis Cardinals @ Washington Nationals Box Score". May 2, 2009.
  7. ^ "Martis, Dunn power Nationals past Cardinals". San Diego Union-Tribune. May 2, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  8. ^ Morrow, Geoff (April 26, 2011). "Former Washington Nationals starter Shairon Martis trying to work his way back to the big leagues". PennLive.
  9. ^ a b Washington Nationals 2011 Media Guide. 2011. pp. 108, 109.
  10. ^ a b c d e f "Shairon Martis Minor, Winter, CPBL & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  11. ^ Langosch, Jenifer (November 23, 2011). "Pirates sign six players to Minor League deals". Archived from the original on December 29, 2011.
  12. ^ "Pirates ink six players to minor-league deals". TribLIVE.com. November 23, 2011. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  13. ^ Williams, Tim (June 27, 2012). "Shairon Martis Traded to the Twins". Pirates Prospects.
  14. ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (November 20, 2012). "Minor Moves: Rice, Romak, Twins". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  15. ^ Stoovelaar, Marco (September 11, 2013). "Shairon Martis returns to Major League". Grand Slam * Stats & News Netherlands. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  16. ^ "Shairon Martis Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  17. ^ "Minor Moves: Shairon Martis". MLB Trade Rumors. February 26, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  18. ^ "'Fish Add Three to Roster". OurSports Central. June 1, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  19. ^ a b Würfel, Philipp (June 9, 2015). "Lincoln Saltdogs sign Dutch RHP Shairon Martis". mister-baseball.com. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  20. ^ "Orioles' Shairon Martis: Lands MiLB deal with Baltimore". CBS Sports. April 12, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  21. ^ van Zon, Rogier (July 25, 2017). "Shairon Martis weg bij Baltimore Orioles". HonkbalSoftbal.nl (in Dutch).
  22. ^ Dixon, Michael (July 27, 2017). "Saltdogs bring back former MLB pitcher Shairon Martis, re-sign Mendonca". Lincoln Saltdogs. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  23. ^ "Four Dutch 'Dogs Return for 2018 • Lincoln Saltdogs". Lincoln Saltdogs. February 9, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  24. ^ "Lincoln Saltdogs release Shairon Martis – mister-baseball.com". May 30, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  25. ^ Dixon, Michael (June 11, 2018). "Saltdogs re-sign veteran pitcher Shairon Martis, add former Triple-A arm Kuzminsky". Lincoln Saltdogs. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  26. ^ Dixon, Michael (May 14, 2019). "'Dogs finalize opening night roster". Lincoln Saltdogs. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  27. ^ "2019 Transactions". American Association of Professional Baseball. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  28. ^ Stoovelaar, Marco (February 18, 2020). "Amsterdam Pirates adds former Major League-pitcher Shairon Martis to roster". Grand Slam * Stats & News Netherlands. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  29. ^ Stoovelaar, Marco (October 28, 2022). "Neptunus also acquires pitcher Shairon Martis". Grand Slam * Stats & News Netherlands. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  30. ^ "Leader board". Koninklijke Nederlandse Baseball en Softball Bond. 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  31. ^ "Stats". Koninklijke Nederlandse Baseball en Softball Bond. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  32. ^ "Martis schrijft WBC-geschiedenis". Antilliaans Dagblad (in Dutch). March 11, 2026. Archived from the original on March 12, 2026. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  33. ^ a b Langs, Sarah. "The World Baseball Classic's all-time stat leaders". MLB.com. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  34. ^ Zayas, Pedro (March 10, 2006). "Dutch Minor Leaguer No-Hits Panama". AP News. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  35. ^ A World Baseball Classic NO-HITTER! 18-year-old Shairon Martis throws an abbreviated no-no!. World Baseball Classic. December 19, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2025 – via YouTube.
  36. ^ a b Castrovince, Anthony (March 3, 2023). "Meet the man who threw the Classic's only no-hitter". MLB.com. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  37. ^ Chiarelli, Mark (February 6, 2026). "2026 Netherlands World Baseball Classic Roster". Baseball America. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  38. ^ Visser, Seb (March 8, 2023). "Shairon Martis krijgt de start tegen Panama". HonkbalSoftbal.nl (in Dutch).
  39. ^ "Shairon Martis". Olympedia. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  40. ^ van Zon, Rogier (October 2, 2011). "Eerste winst voor Nederland op WK". Honkbalsite archief (in Dutch). Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  41. ^ a b "Shairon Martis: "Ik kan overal wonen, maar die regen in Nederland..."". TeamNL (in Dutch). September 2025. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  42. ^ "Curt Smith Meest Waardevolle Speler". Honkbalsite archief (in Dutch). Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  43. ^ "Italy@Netherlands - Baseball European Championship 2025". WBSC Europe. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  44. ^ "Grote namen in voorselectie Koninkrijksteam voor World Baseball Classic". HonkbalSoftbal.nl (in Dutch). January 10, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  45. ^ "Stats". World Baseball Softball Confederation. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  46. ^ "Premier12 Game 1: Opnieuw Shairon Martis vs. Jaime Barria". HonkbalSoftbal.nl (in Dutch). November 9, 2024. Archived from the original on July 8, 2025. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  47. ^ a b "Shairon Martis". World Baseball Softball Confederation. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
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