Tyler Hissey writes about Cleveland Indians catcher Victor Martinez and his fast start to the 2009 season:
Headed into spring training, many pundits predicted the Indians to win the American League Central under the assumption that Martinez and teammate Travis Hafner would rebound offensively. However, a number of skeptics had doubts that either player, especially Hafner and his "old-man" skills, would perform at their once-outstanding levels ever again. Well, the Tribe has certainly gotten off to another miserable start. The former is back, though, doing everything possible to help his club stay afloat. His defense at catcher is still less than stellar and he now should be more of a first baseman (he has played 15 games at first base, 17 behind the plate), but the power in his bat has returned from the dead.
Martinez, 30, is currently hitting .385/.458/.63 with a 179 OPS+. He also already surpassed his '08 home run total, bashing six bombs in his first 122 plate appearances. Headed into Sunday, he ranks third in the junior circuit in batting average and on-base percentage, fourth in OPS (1.089), sixth in slugging percentage and ninth in walks (18). He is tied for sixth in the majors in wOBA (.464) as well.
Only three players--Evan Longoria, Kevin Youkilis and Jason Bay--have provided more batting runs above a replacement-level hitters than Martinez, whose produced 15.6 runs. He takes a hit for his defense, but he been worth 1.8 WAR; along with four other players, he is tied for fourth in the league in terms of actual value. Clearly, the veteran slugger has put to bed any concerns about any nagging injury worries. A .390 batting average on balls in plays will come down to earth, as will his current walk rate, but the two-time All-Star is driving the ball again and is a legitimate offensive force whose bat will play at any position.
Original Story:
http://mvn.com/aroundthemajors/2009/0...
Headed into spring training, many pundits predicted the Indians to win the American League Central under the assumption that Martinez and teammate Travis Hafner would rebound offensively. However, a number of skeptics had doubts that either player, especially Hafner and his "old-man" skills, would perform at their once-outstanding levels ever again. Well, the Tribe has certainly gotten off to another miserable start. The former is back, though, doing everything possible to help his club stay afloat. His defense at catcher is still less than stellar and he now should be more of a first baseman (he has played 15 games at first base, 17 behind the plate), but the power in his bat has returned from the dead.
Martinez, 30, is currently hitting .385/.458/.63 with a 179 OPS+. He also already surpassed his '08 home run total, bashing six bombs in his first 122 plate appearances. Headed into Sunday, he ranks third in the junior circuit in batting average and on-base percentage, fourth in OPS (1.089), sixth in slugging percentage and ninth in walks (18). He is tied for sixth in the majors in wOBA (.464) as well.
Only three players--Evan Longoria, Kevin Youkilis and Jason Bay--have provided more batting runs above a replacement-level hitters than Martinez, whose produced 15.6 runs. He takes a hit for his defense, but he been worth 1.8 WAR; along with four other players, he is tied for fourth in the league in terms of actual value. Clearly, the veteran slugger has put to bed any concerns about any nagging injury worries. A .390 batting average on balls in plays will come down to earth, as will his current walk rate, but the two-time All-Star is driving the ball again and is a legitimate offensive force whose bat will play at any position.
Original Story:
http://mvn.com/aroundthemajors/2009/0...
