Astros Purchase Contract of Express RHP Corbin Martin

ROUND ROCK, Texas - Corbin got the call! The Houston Astros announced on Sunday morning that the club has purchased the contract of Round Rock Express RHP Corbin Martin . The 23-year-old is set to make his major league debut in a start on Sunday afternoon against the Texas Rangers.
In a corresponding move, RHP Ronel Blanco has been promoted to Round Rock from the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks. Blanco is seeking his Triple-A debut with the Express.
Martin shined in his brief time with the Express, going 1-1 with a miniscule 1.48 ERA after allowing just four earned runs in 24.1 innings pitched. He ranked third in the Pacific Coast League in both ERA and WHIP (1.03) at the time of his promotion. The Hempstead, Texas-native racked up 28 strikeouts to just 11 walks in five total appearances, including four starts, with Round Rock.
The righty compiled a dominant stretch where he allowed just one earned run across 18.1 innings pitched, including a streak of 9.1 consecutive scoreless frames from April 6-May 7. He also matched his career high with nine strikeouts on April 12 against the Memphis Redbirds at Dell Diamond.
Martin has flown through the Astros farm system since being drafted after his junior season at Texas A&M University. He made his Triple-A debut with the Express earlier this season in what is just his second full professional season. The 2014 Cypress Ranch High School graduate entered the 2019 season ranked as the Astros #5 prospect and the #73 overall prospect in baseball, according to MLB.com.
Blanco joins the Express from Corpus Christi, where he began the season with a perfect 3-0 record and a 4.15 ERA (8 ER/17.1 IP) in nine relief appearances with the Hooks. The 25-year-old fanned 26 batters to only eight walks in the Texas League. Blanco comes to Round Rock riding a hot streak in which he has earned two wins and two saves in his last five appearances. He was signed by the Astros as a non-drafted free agent in 2016 out of his hometown of Santiago, Dominican Republic.
For more information on the Express, visit RRExpress.com or call (512) 255-2255. Keep up with the Express on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and join the conversation during our historic 20th season using #20STROng.