Russell Martin: Fantasy Baseball Starter? Maybe. Top Option? No.

What happened to Russell Martin in 2009?  Was it an aberration or have his skills actually declined? Before we can answer that question, let’s take a look at his 2009 production:

505 At Bats
.250 Batting Average (126 Hits)
7 Home Runs
53 RBI
63 Runs
11 Stolen Bases
.352 On Base Percentage
.329 Slugging Percentage
.285 Batting Average on Balls in Play

First, let’s discuss the power. What happened to it? He has gone from 19 HR in ‘07 to 13 HR in ‘08 to last season's seven HR performance. He was never a big fly ball hitter, with a 31.1 percent career mark (and 30.7 percent last season). What has happened is his HR/FB has steadily declined:

• 2007 - 12.2%
• 2...
  
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