Jeff Curry – USA Today Sports
We may only be a month into the 2013 fantasy baseball season, but we’re deep enough where a few hitters have already overcome their slow starts; one of those guys is Pittsburgh Pirates C Russell Martin.
The new catcher for the Pirates went undrafted in most fantasy leagues after he hit .211 last season and left the hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium to head for Pittsburgh. Martin then started the season 0-for-17 and was almost universally dropped by the few who drafted him. He finally got his first hit on April 9 but then got just one hit in his next 13 at bats and was hitting .103 with 0 RBI after 12 games played.
Fortunately, the catcher shook off the dreadful start with an eight-game hit streak that raised his average all the way up to .241 and his OBP up to .343. He also hit his first two home runs during the streak and drove in three. After the streak ended he started another one and has now not only hit in five in a row but has found his power stroke with four home runs and six RBI in those five games.
Despite the slow start, he is now fourth among catchers with six home runs and 13 runs scored. He can still steal a base every now and then, though his days of 20 steals are well behind him. Martin will cool off, but he can certainly help those looking for a catcher with power and is still available in over 60 percent of ESPN leagues. If he could keep his average around .275 all season that would be a huge boost, but as long as he can just manage to hit around .250 the power and runs scored he’ll provide from the catcher spot will be very valuable.
Rich Arleo is a fantasy sports expert with Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @Rarleo, ‘Like’ him on Facebook and add him to your networks on Google.
