Catfish coach to bring World Series experience to Capaha

The Cape Catfish often speak of possessing a “championship culture” in every aspect of the organization, and so bringing in a player who has first-hand experience of winning the ultimate baseball championship, a World Series, only makes too much sense.

The Catfish have hired Edgar Martinez (the 26-year-old version, not the Major League Baseball Hall of Famer) as an assistant coach for the 2024 season.

“I want to transition into (NCAA Division I) coaching,” Martinez said. “With the two months, 60 games-plus, I liked the layout of it and the travel, it makes it seem almost like professional baseball.”

That is something that won’t be new to Martinez, however, the lodging and travel won’t be what he has gotten used to.

For the past three seasons, Martinez has worked for the Houston Astros, first as a video technology assistant, before moving into on-the-field roles as a bullpen catcher and assistant coach.

“My main role was to work with the catchers,” Martinez explained, “and then in batting practice, I would work with the infielders.”

His time with the Astros included winning a World Series ring in 2022 and advancing to the American League Championship Series last fall before falling 4-3 to the eventual World Series champion Texas Rangers.

“Growing up (in Houston),” Martinez said, “my whole life, what I wanted to do was play for the Houston Astros. I didn’t make it as a player, but I was fortunate enough to make it as a coach.

“The only Astros jersey that I ever owned has my last name on it, so that was really special to me.”

During the pandemic in 2020, Martinez was working with several Major League Baseball players with Dynamic Sports Training in Houston following his playing career at Northeast Texas Community College. It was there that he developed relationships and proved his value to the Astros, which then presented him with the opportunity to join the organization.

The Cape Catfish have a very condensed, game-heavy schedule each summer, which will be nothing compared to what Martinez has endured through the nine-plus months of each of the past two MLB seasons.

In his role with the Astros, he not only provided instruction to the players, but he was also often just as active physically as they were, which will be very similar to his role with the Catfish.

“As the bullpen catcher and assistant coach,” Martinez said of his duties, “it was different than the other coaches. I had to long toss with the players. I had to catch the pitchers. I had to throw batting practice.

“It was basically like I was the catcher. There were days when you would wake up and your back was hurting, and you were sore, but it’s baseball, and there is nothing like it. Once I would get to the stadium, that was my happy place.”

Martinez has already spoken at length with Catfish General Manager Mark Hogan through the interview process, and he talks “every other week” with recently hired Cape manager Phil Butler.

“I’ve got the big (ring),” Martinez said. “Now, I want to go get one (in Cape Girardeau).”

The Catfish open their 2024 season at the Jackson (Tenn.) Rockabillys. Cape’s home debut will be the following day (May 30) against the Full Count Rhythm out of Hendersonville, Tenn.