When Jose Marte began the 2021 season, he was stuck between the San Francisco Giants’ High-A and Double-A teams for the third straight year. However, he finally got a chance to prove himself when he was dealt at the trade deadline to the Los Angeles Angels as a part of a package for Tony Watson.
After just eight Minor League innings with the Angels, he was promoted to Major League debut, where he showed promising strikeout upside, despite allowing four runs in four innings.
But with a revamped bullpen going into the 2022 season, Marte was on the outside looking in and he was sent to the Salt Lake Bees when the Angels’ Opening Day roster was set.
He was recalled on July 7 when the Angels found themselves in need of a reliever, but he pitched in just five games before being sent back to the Minors. In those appearances, he struggled to a 5.06 ERA in 5.1 innings while walking six hitters, which is a problem he has been unable to fix during his career.
He was once again recalled near the end of August, and he ended up pitching in six more games with the Angels. However, he allowed six runs in 5.2 innings and he was optioned back to Salt Lake.
He finished his season at the Major League level throwing 11 innings with a 7.36 ERA, 7.66 FIP, 25.9% strikeout rate, 31% walk rate and -0.3 WAR. In 34.2 Minor League innings, Marte held a 5.45 ERA while striking out 46 and walking 23.
Jose Marte 2022 highlight
Marte posted his highest win probability added on July 12 against the Houston Astros. He pitched one perfect inning where he struck out one batter in a 6-5 Angels loss. He also had a solid performance a few days earlier on July 7 when he pitched 1.2 scoreless innings against the Baltimore Orioles while striking out two and walking two in a 4-1 Angels loss.
2023 outlook
Marte will once again be a depth piece for the Angels going into the 2023 season with the upside to become a quality and potential high-leverage receiver thanks to his high strikeout rate if he can control his walk issues.
However, the 26-year-old has not offered much hope of being able to correct his issues, which once again leaves him on the outside looking in for an Angels team that is hoping to once again reach the playoffs.
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