Russell Martin

[Cowtipper]

Six-year veteran catcher Russell Martin has hit .267 with 72 home runs, 365 RBI and 74 stolen bases in 792 games. In addition, the three-time All-Star has won a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger, and in 2006 he finished ninth in the NL in Rookie of the Year voting.

The defensively solid backstop has led all players at his position in games twice, putouts three times, assists three times and runners caught stealing twice. Among active players, he is seventh in catcher assists and ninth in runners caught stealing.

Though he hasn't always been a solid playoff performer, Martin has shown some flashes of brilliance in the postseason. For example, in the 2006 NLDS, he hit .333 and in the 2008 NLDS, he hit .308 with three doubles and five RBI.

Statistically, Martin is currently similar to Yorvit Torrealba, Ray Fosse, Ed Taubensee, Hal Smith, Glenn Myatt, Damian Miller, John Stearns, Jim Pagliaroni, Rich Gedman and Yadier Molina. However, Martin's career is not over, so who knows who he will be most similar to at the conclusion of his career. (His most similar player through his age 28 season is Rich Gedman, followed by Thurman Munson). The Fan EloRater places Martin at #877, ahead of Tom Burns, Bob Skinner and Jim Gantner, but behind Damion Easley, Tony Armas and Bill Melton.

Projections, using Bill James' Favorite Toy:

1664 G
6705 PA
5787 AB
796 R
1484 H
248 2B
7 3B
129 HR
687 RBI
135 SB
61 CS
780 BB
967 K
.256 BA

So, what do you think about Russell Martin? When he retires, should he be a Hall of Famer? Does he have Hall of Fame potential? Did he ever have Hall of Fame potential?

[ol' aches and pains]

Why not? He hits a home run every 10 games or so.

[Cowtipper]

Looking at his career projections, they seem almost Varitek-esque, with just a little more speed added in.

[GiambiJuice]

He's projected to finish with about HALF the HR and RBI of a borderline at best HOFer in Jorge Posada. I'd say the chances of Russell Martin making the Hall of Fame are somewhere between 0% - 0.01%

[Cowtipper]

He's projected to finish with about HALF the HR and RBI of a borderline at best HOFer in Jorge Posada. I'd say the chances of Russell Martin making the Hall of Fame are somewhere between 0% - 0.01%

Would you say that he at one point had Hall of Fame potential? I remember when he first came on the scene, he was a pretty big name and was a highly touted player.

[GiambiJuice]

Would you say that he at one point had Hall of Fame potential? I remember when he first came on the scene, he was a pretty big name and was a highly touted player.

Yes, in 2007 he looked like a really good player. He was also unique in that he stole over 20 bases. Catchers just don't do that. If he could have repeated his 2007 numbers 13-15 times he might've been a hall of famer.

[westsidegrounds]

I'd say the chances of Russell Martin making the Hall of Fame are somewhere between 0% - 0.01%

so ...... you vote for "maybe"?

[NJYankeeFan]

Given current statistics no chance but if defensive stats improve dramatically then maybe. Early evidence shows Martin as the best at framing pitches.

[Bothrops Atrox]

Given current statistics no chance but if defensive stats improve dramatically then maybe. Early evidence shows Martin as the best at framing pitches.

And early evidence also shows that even though framing may be a legit skill, the number of runs prevented by framing is not a monumental amount - at least relative to other skills. Maybe enough to tip a borderline guy in, but not enough to boost the candidacy of a guy not even approaching the HOF galaxy.

[1905 Giants]

I'm a little generous here, but hey, he's only 28

[Cowtipper]

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I'd say the chances of Russell Martin making the Hall of Fame are somewhere between 0% - 0.01%

...........................

[jjpm74]

His changes of getting in are about the same as Rich Gedman's. He's a capable catcher who catches a lot of games. There's nothing he's done to this point that would indicate that he has any chance at even making a HOF ballot at this point, let alone getting into the HOF. He's also 28 years old, so having 7 great seasons is not impossible. I've never seen him as a superstar talent even when he first broke into MLB.

[bluesky5]

If he had kept up his pace from his first three seasons. I thought he would be a perennial all-star. He's still a solid pro. No HoF tho.

[bluesky5]

If Martin would get to 200 HR, 125 stolen bags with a .250 career average (as a best case scenario) what kind of company would he be in? Surely rare territory.

[Freakshow]

No hall of famers here. Martin comps thru age-28 season. WAR 11.6-16.4, OPS+ 92-108, PA 2350-4000, 450+ G at C

Player            WAR/pos OPS+   PA Rfield From   To   G
Tony Pena            15.9  103 2526     38 1980 1985 657
Brian Downing        15.6  108 2602     -2 1973 1979 734
Del Crandall         14.9   97 3205     37 1949 1958 894
Mike Scioscia        14.8  101 2843     22 1980 1987 807
John Stearns         14.0  101 2365     23 1974 1980 620
Russell Martin       14.0  100 3189      8 2006 2011 792
Benito Santiago      13.4   92 3581     26 1986 1993 928
Bob OFarrell         13.3  105 2484      3 1915 1925 738
Terry Kennedy        13.3  106 2628    -11 1978 1984 678
Todd Hundley         12.2  107 2762    -16 1990 1997 776
Ed McFarland         12.1   98 2669     -2 1893 1903 681
Shanty Hogan         12.0  101 3137      9 1925 1934 890
Duke Farrell         12.0   99 3748     -9 1888 1895 886
Ramon Hernandez      11.9   94 2571     19 1999 2004 706