Former QU ace Martin moves one step closer to big leagues as non-roster invitee to Cubs’ spring training

QUINCY — The handyman work that comes with being a first-time home owner isn’t dramatically different from the challenges Riley Martin has experienced during his climb through the Chicago Cubs organization.

You assess, game plan and attack.

“I’m getting better with lots of trial-and-error stuff,” Martin said of his hammer and screwdriver skills.

As for his pitching skills, those have him on the cusp of a major breakthrough.

After spending all of the 2024 season with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, the former Quincy University All-American left-handed pitcher is a non-roster invitee to the Cubs’ big league spring training. He left his St. Louis home Friday to report to Mesa, Ariz., as the Cubs’ pitcher and catchers went through their first workout Sunday.

Martin is one of 20 players not on Chicago’s 40-man roster to receive a spring training invite. After talking with those within the organization at the end of the 2024 season, he expected to be in the big league camp this spring and figured there was a chance he was going to be added to the 40-man roster during the offseason.

That didn’t happen, and when he wasn’t selected by another franchise in the Rule-5 draft, it opened the door for the non-roster invitation.

“When I got the call about that, it was pretty cool,” Martin said. “It’s nice validation. I called my dad right after that and I was like, ‘This is what we expected, but it still feels good to know that I’m actually going.’ Again, it’s validation for my hard work.

“I’m ready to get out there, get going, be around the big league guys and show them what I can do.”

Since being a sixth-round draft pick of the Cubs in 2021 following a record-setting career at QU — Martin is the single-game, single-season and career strikeout leader as well as the winningest pitcher in program history — the southpaw has steadily made the climb up each minor league rung.

Last season, Martin fashioned a 4-4 record in 43 appearances with a 4.48 ERA over 60.1 innings. He finished with 91 strikeouts and 45 walks, while finishing with a flourish as he allowed just one earned run in seven September outings.

“Triple-A is a whole different animal,” Martin said. “I used to say low-A to High-A was the biggest jump, but the hitters are different at Triple-A. There’s more of an approach. You’re facing guys who are on the precipice or have been in the big leagues and have had significant time there. 

“They have real approaches, they punish mistakes and they force you to be in the zone more often. So I was learning as I was throwing, learning how to read hitters’ swings, how to read their takes, help formulate a plan when I go up there and face them.”

It made him more of a cerebral pitcher.

“In the lower levels, I could go out there and out-stuff people,” Martin said. “I could just throw what I wanted. Now I have to get to my putaway pitch. I have to work a plan to get ahead in the count to get to that putaway curveball or that putaway slider. It’s been fun to see that progression.”

That progression continued throughout the winter despite some significant changes in his life.

Martin and his college sweetheart — former QU women’s soccer standout Mo Rooney — were married in December and enjoyed a beach getaway for their honeymoon. They also purchased their first house in the suburban St. Louis area.

“It’s a great space and a great first home for us,” Martin said.

It gave him access to facilities where he could train all winter.

Martin said he threw three times per week beginning in October and spent considerable time in the weight room regaining some of the strength from the wear and tear of an entire season. In December, he worked on velocity, and after the wedding, he began throwing bullpen sessions.

“I’m not in there just throwing,” Martin said. “I’m working sequences, thinking about batters, thinking about how I can tunnel off of my misses. It’s been a good progression and I feel really good.”

Now, his big league audition awaits.

“Physically, I’m prepared,” Martin said. “Once you get there, you’re locked in and ready to go. I’m ready to be there and ready to get after it.”