Cubs snag a power arm with eye-popping stuff hoping to help him put it all together

Don't be shocked if we see Corbin Martin snag a spot in the bullpen.

Jake Misener

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The revamped Chicago Cubs bullpen is just about complete, but there's always room for more arms in camp - and this one seems to have a real shot at cracking the big-league roster with a strong spring.

Chicago has reportedly agreed to a minor-league deal with right-hander Corbin Martin, a 30-year-old former second-round pick out of Texas A&M, who, despite several plus offerings in his arsenal, has never put it all together. A former top-100 prospect, the Cubs are hoping Martin has more to offer heading into his seventh professional season (he lost a couple in there due to Tommy John and a shoulder injury).

Cubs add another reclamation project to the mix with Corbin Martin

Martin throws a mid-to-upper 90s four-seamer with some cut, as well as a slider and curve - both of which have netted strong whiff rates. The stuff is what the Cubs love and the hope is Tommy Hottovy and his team can work their magic and help Martin translate stuff into results for the first time in his career.

He spent last season in the Orioles organization, splitting the year between Triple-A Norfolk and Baltimore, pitching to a 6.00 ERA/5.30 FIP in 17 appearances with the O's. Control has been a major issue for Martin in his professional career (evidenced by a 5.0 BB/9 walk rate at Triple-A and 5.6 BB/9 in 75 2/3 MLB innings) - so getting that figured out will be a top priority if he has any shot at being a contributor for Chicago this year.

Martin joins a recent string of reclamation project/bounceback candidate minor league signings that has included the likes of former first-round pick Tyler Beede and right-hander John Brigham. Like I said, most of the bullpen seems pretty set with the team's big-league additions, but there's always a spot for a breakout arm coming out of camp.

Jake Misener

For more than a decade, Jake has been a staple in FanSided MLB - leading the Cubbies Crib team for most of that time.When he's not in the bleachers at Wrigley Field, he can be found covering all things Cubs - including the latest hot stove rumors, roster breakdowns and statistical analyses. Inducted into the FanSided Hall of Fame in 2018, Jake has 15+ years of sports journalism and blogging experience - and is now focused on teaching his daughter the ways of Cubs fandom.