Clipboard: Martorella promoted to San Diego Padres Double A affiliate
Nathan Martorella took a step closer to reaching baseball’s pinnacle after being promoted to the San Diego Padres Double A affiliate in San Antonio.
The 6-foot-2, left-handed swinging first baseman and Salinas High grad hit 16 homers with 73 runs batted in over 111 games this year for the Padres High-A team in Fort Wayne, Texas.
Martorella, who recently broke out of a two-week hitting slump at the plate, is hitting .259 with a .371 on-base percentage at Fort Wayne, scoring 70 runs, while walking 73 times.
Drafted in the fifth round by the Padres in the 2022 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, the 22-year-old has hit 19 homers and driven in 94 runs in 114 career minor league games.
In just two years after earning all-Pacific 12 honors at Cal, Martorella has climbed three levels in the Padres organization.
Martorella is considered the Padres’ No. 10 prospect in the minor leagues – the highest-ranked first baseman in the system.
Martorella was the Herald’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2019, and a member of the Herald’s all-county baseball team all four years.
Dalman set for Atlanta Falcons
Coming off a season in which he did not allow a sack, Palma graduate Drew Dalman will begin his third season for the Atlanta Falcons.
A fourth-round selection in the 2021 National Football League draft, Dalman started all 17 games last year at center for the Falcons.
Durable over his entire career, the 6-foot-3, 300-pound Dalman started 22-of-25 games while at Stanford-– two at guard. He started 37 straight games at Palma.
The son of former 49ers Super Bowl champion Chris Dalman, the younger Dalman calls the line signals for the Falcons. He is the only county player currently in the NFL.
Dalman was a two-time member of The Herald’s All-County team and the Defensive Player of the Year in 2016.
Seaside grad Foliaki at Mercyhurst College
True freshman Roland Foliaki has not only earned a spot on the traveling squad, but the 18-year-old will be part of the defensive rotation for the Mercyhurst College football team in Erie, Pennsylvania.
The 6-foot-1, 280-pound Seaside graduate will line up as a defensive tackle for Mercyhurst, which opens its season Aug. 31 against Ferris State.
A member of the Herald’s All-County football team last fall, Foliaki was recruited to Mercyhurst by former Seaside High and MPC linebacker Ryan Riemedio, who is the head coach.
Riemedio has spent eight seasons as a coach at Division II Mercyhurst, making his debut as the program’s head coach last fall.
Aldrete looks to rediscover his stroke
Carter Aldrete has spent time this summer at third base, second base and first base for the Giants Double A affiliate in Richmond, Virginia.
The former Monterey High shortstop has hit nine homers and driven in 40 runs in his first full season playing Double A baseball for the San Francisco Giants affiliate.
With 70 hits in 90 games, the 6-foot-2 right-handed slugger has 17 doubles, sporting a .280 on-base percentage for the Flying Squirrels.
Drafted in the 15th round by the Giants out of Arizona State in 2019, the 25-year-old Aldrete has hit 43 homers with 183 runs batted in over 334 career minor league games.
Aldrete was a four-year starter at Monterey, earning a spot on the Herald’s All-County baseball team as a junior and senior.
Big Sur Marathon registration
Registration for the Big Sur International Marathon – slated for April 28, 2014 – will begin at 9 a.m. on Wednesday and run through Sept. 10.
There is no advantage to entering the drawing early with the dates. General registration random drawing winners will be selected on Sept. 13.
All other races – 5K, 12K, 11-miler, 21-miler and marathon relay will open on a first-come, first-serve basis on Sept. 14. More information can be obtained by going to bigsurmarathon.org.
Officials needed
Peninsula Sports Incorporate (PSI) is looking for high school and middle school officials for all sports this season. Varsity officials are paid $100 a game.
There is an immediate need for officials in the fall for football, volleyball, water polo and field hockey. Training is provided. Call Tom Emery at 831 241-1101.
Seaside’s Finest
Seaside’s Finest will conduct a fall basketball workout program, with the primary focus on skill development. Workouts for boys and girls ages 8-18 will be held Mondays and Thursdays from 7-8:30 p.m. at MPC. Go to [email protected] or https://seasidesfinest.leagueapps.com/camps
Coaches needed
Gonzales is looking for a girl’s basketball coach for this winter. Contact athletic director Margie Daniels at [email protected]
