Which Texas Rangers Should Be in the All-Star Game?

Jun 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nick  Martinez (22) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the Chicago White Sox at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

4. Nick Martinez

One of the biggest surprises of 2015 has been the success of Martinez. Selected in the 18th round of the 2011 draft, Martinez pitched his first season with the team in 2014 without much success. Martinez was 5-12 with a 4.55 ERA and struck out 77 in 140.1 innings pitched. So far in 2015, Martinez has a 5-4 record with a 3.39 ERA and has struck out 52 in 90.1 innings.

These numbers do not do justice for what Martinez has done after he started off on fire for the month of April. In his first four starts of the season, Martinez pitched a total of 26 innings and gave up just one run for an incredible 0.35 ERA. As the season has gone on teams have begun to figure him out but his ERA did not get over 2.00 until his final start in May. In his 15 starts, he has given up more than three earned runs just twice, meaning he has given his team a chance to win in at least 13 of his starts.

While troubles in June are what most may remember when looking at who should be a reserve, the incredible month of April should make Martinez a contender. At 24-years-old, Martinez has stepped up in a major way for this team and they have rallied around his success. If a pitcher is selected for the Rangers to make the All-Star game, it would be a very tough choice between Gallardo and Martinez.

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