Former Quincy University All-American left-handed pitcher Riley Martin was added to the Chicago Cubs’ 40-man roster on Tuesday. | Phioto courtesy Dylan Heuer, Iowa Cubs

QUINCY — As the end of June neared, speculation swirled around former Quincy University All-American left-hander Riley Martin getting the call to pitch in the big leagues.

Working out of the bullpen for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, Martin put together a string of 18 consecutive appearances spanning  27 innings without allowing an earned run from April 18 through June 22. At that moment, a promotion seemed inevitable.

It just never materialized.

“I’m thinking, ‘I might get a call here soon,’” Martin said shortly after the season ended. “Really the whole season was like that. I had about a week in the middle of the season where I gave up a couple of runs where I was a little bit off track, but I got right back on track and finished the season strong. I did pretty much everything I could do to get to the big leagues this year.

“It was unfortunate circumstances. They had no options in the big league bullpen. But I feel like I put myself in a really good spot heading into the offseason.”

After Tuesday, he’s in an even better spot.

The Chicago Cubs added Martin to their 40-man roster, protecting him from the Rule 5 draft and positioning him to head to spring training with the chance to earn a spot on the big league roster. Players cannot be added to the 26-man big league roster without first being on the 40-man roster.

Martin, who was a sixth-round draft pick of the Cubs in 2021, enjoyed the best season of professional career during 2025.

The southpaw made 47 appearances spanning 63.2 innings and compiled a 6-2 record with four saves and a 2.69 ERA. He struck out 80, walked 35 and limited opponents to a .186 batting average and enjoyed a career-low WHIP of 1.19.

“I really made some big adjustments in the mental game and being able to work my way through innings and stay locked in no matter what was going on was big,” Martin said. “Having the confidence to go out and throw heaters in the zone and get ahead with that. My fastball was really, really good with that.”

Martin increased his strike percentage with the fastball by nearly 10 percent. 

“It was a big adjustment there and that led to a lot of success,” he said. “I really hammered the zone with the heater. I’m not trying to throw it at the top of zone early in counts. I’m just trying to throw it in the zone, get a swing and miss, get a foul ball, get a take, whatever it might be. Then I can employ the curveball, the slider and put guys away.”

Martin finished the season with five straight scoreless appearances, enjoyed a 0.00 ERA in September, and allowed no earned runs in nine of his final 10 outings.

It gave him a rash of confidence going into the offseason and furthered his belief he belongs in the big leagues. Tuesday’s decision by the Cubs to put him on the 40-man roster reaffirms that.

“I’m going to get there, and I know I’ve said that the last couple of years, but I really made big adjustments this year and put myself in a position where I feel I can go up there and be a really good big leaguer,” Martin said.