Russ Martin

[Mashug]

Does anybody know about this guy? His numbers are good. He's a rookie and was a 7th round pick in 2002. That's all io know about him.

[The Loveable Losers]

From Rotowire's 2006 Preseason Forecast:

Many scouts and officials in the Dodgers' organization view Martin as the best catching prospect in the system, ahead of even Dioner Navarro. Martin's defensive skills are widely acclaimed and he has a nice patient approach at the plate. He still needs to grow into his power, but there's some potential there as well. Martin could reach the majors by midseason, or when Sandy Alomar Jr. has his first DL trip.

From Rotowire's news items 6/15/2006:

Navarro (wrist) is expected to remain in Triple-A once he's eligible to be activated from the disabled list, reports the team's official site. Russell Martin has established himself as the team's primary catcher (probably for the next decade). "Right now, Russell is doing such a good job, it's hard to displace him at this time for the majority of catching," manager Grady Little said.

Martin's defense will most likely keep him in the lineup almost every day even if he slumps. His plate discipline and contact ability (163 bb's to 134 k's in 902 minor league at bats and 13 bb to 14 k's in 112 ab's at the major league level) make it unlikely he'd slump for long anyways. He also has over a .500 slg% so far this year after being in the .420's in the minors which shows that his power is starting to develop. He's only 23 years old so while it's not a given he could develop 20 hr pop...since he already has 4 hr's in 112 at bats that would project out to about 15 hr's in 420 ab's which would be right in line with his minor league work load.

[Mashug]

great information....thanks!

[Don G.]

great player...seems to be a consistent, solid threat...from the catcher position that's all you can ask for....he's one of the better catchers out there already but he may be more prone to a slump....in a 2 catcher league he's a great player to have.

[StringerBell]

He has been producing an incredible amount of runs for a Catcher. He is batting 8th, with pitchers behind him most of the time, yet he
has 41 RP in only 141 ABs. Among Cathchers He is currently 12th overall in the majors in RP even though he has only played 35 games!

One of the best things about him is that he is only 23. He`s not physically beaten up yet like most of the veteran backstops. He has no steals yet---but that may be soon to come. He had 15 steals in AA Jacksonville last year.