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?
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?
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