Welcome back to the 2015 Last Word on Fantasy Baseball Guide. Over the next several months we will be releasing player profiles, projections, position rankings, and a number of other articles that will help you dominate your fantasy league this season. Whether you play rotisserie or head-to-head; whether you have a standard draft, a snake or an auction league, and whether its keeper league or a one-year deal; we have all the fantasy information you need.
For the rest of our fantasy baseball profiles and articles, please check out our Fantasy Baseball Guide Page.
Fantasy Profile: Russell Martin, C, Toronto Blue Jays
Pos. Rank 6, Captains Value $ 0.00
Russell Martin single-handedly won some fantasy baseball owners their seasons. Alright that’s a stretch, but Martin proved to be quite a good waiver wire addition, and produced solid results from a catcher that no one expected it from. Should you expect the same in 2015? I would heavily bet against it.
I wouldn’t expect another season of .290 AVG (thanks to an inflated .336 BABIP, much better than his career average of .289 BABIP) but it isn’t crazy to think he hits .270 with 10+ home runs again, and a very good BB:K rate. Last year he mostly batted 5th in the lineup, and in that spot he hit .309 with 10 home runs, 51 RBI and 38 walks. He should have slightly improved stats if he stays in the 5th spot (or potentially move up to the 4th spot), batting behind the offensively heavy lineup of Jose Reyes, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion. Martin is a great catcher defensively, and really isn’t too good in the fantasy baseball world. I would take a flier on him in the later rounds though if you’re lacking at catcher or in an OBP league. Two things guaranteed with Martin, a good defensive catcher and he walks a plenty. He also can steal an occasional base (had 9 in 2013, which is pretty good for a catcher) which helps in a ROTO league.
Next year I would be very cautious with Martin. It’s obvious the Jays signed him to the large contract not for offense, but what he provides defensively and the leadership qualities he has. Oh and the fact he’s Canadian (CHA-CHING!). Something like .260/.360/400 with 10 home runs, 60 RBI and 55 walks is probably the most I would expect out of Martin.
| Year | Team | Pos | G | PA | AB | R | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | SLG | OBP | OPS |
| 2011 | NYY | C | 125 | 476 | 417 | 57 | 18 | 65 | 8 | 50 | 81 | 0.237 | 0.408 | 0.324 | 0.732 |
| 2012 | NYY | C | 133 | 485 | 422 | 50 | 21 | 53 | 6 | 53 | 95 | 0.211 | 0.403 | 0.311 | 0.714 |
| 2013 | PIT | C | 127 | 506 | 438 | 51 | 15 | 55 | 9 | 58 | 108 | 0.226 | 0.377 | 0.327 | 0.704 |
| 2014 | PIT | C | 111 | 460 | 379 | 45 | 11 | 67 | 4 | 59 | 78 | 0.290 | 0.430 | 0.402 | 0.832 |
| 2015 Projection | TOR | C | 550 | 471 | 60 | 17 | 55 | 6 | 66 | 105 | 0.241 | 0.346 | 0.395 | 0.741 |
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Main Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
