WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

The Pirates signed Martin to a two-year contract worth a total of $17M, the largest free agent signing of GM Neal Huntington’s tenure.  The deal called for a $2M signing bonus, $6.5M in 2013 and $8.5M in 2014.  Martin will replace Rod Barajas as the team’s regular catcher.

2002
R:  286/412/387, 126 AB, 3 2B, 3 3B, 23 BB, 18 K, 7-8 SB

Martin was drafted as an infielder and played third in his debut season.  He showed good plate discipline but not much power.

2003
R+:  271/368/436, 188 AB, 13 2B, 6 HR, 26 BB, 26 K, 3-4 SB
A:  286/343/439, 98 AB, 4 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 9 BB, 11 K, 5-7 SB

The Dodgers moved Martin behind the plate, starting him off in advanced rookie ball.  Between that level and low A, he had 31 passed balls in just 63 games, but that’s not too surprising.  At the plate he continued to put up good walk and K rates, and started hitting for some power.

2004
A+:  250/366/421, 416 AB, 24 2B, 1 3B, 15 HR, 71 BB, 54 K, 9-14 SB

Martin’s average dropped in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League, but his plate discipline was better than ever and he hit for solid power.

2005
AA:  311/430/423, 409 AB, 17 2B, 1 3B, 9 HR, 78 BB, 69 K, 15-22 SB

Martin had a strong season in AA, leading Baseball America to rank him the 4th best prospect in a strong system after the season.

2006
AAA:  297/389/419, 74 AB, 9 2B, 13 BB, 11 K, 0-2 SB
MLB:  282/355/436, 415 AB, 26 2B, 4 3B, 10 HR, 45 BB, 57 K, 10-15 SB

The Dodgers called Martin up in early May and he had a strong rookie season, finishing 9th in the Rookie of the Year balloting in an extraordinary year for rookies (Prince Fielder only tied for 7th).  Behind the plate he threw out 31% of base stealers.

2007
MLB:  293/374/469, 540 AB, 32 2B, 3 3B, 19 HR, 67 BB, 89 K, 21-30 SB

Martin had his best pro season, starting in the All-Star Game, and winning a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger.

2008
MLB:  280/385/396, 553 AB, 25 2B, 13 HR, 90 BB, 83 K, 18-24 SB

Martin’s power dropped off, but drew a huge number of walks.

2009
MLB:  250/352/329, 505 AB, 19 2B, 7 HR, 69 BB, 80 K, 11-17 SB

Martin’s hitting, especially his power, dropped off dramatically.

2010
MLB:  248/347/332, 331 AB, 13 2B, 5 HR, 48 BB, 61 K, 6-8 SB

Martin hit about the same as the year before.  He continued drawing walks despite the fact that he started swinging at significantly more pitches outside the strike zone than he had previously.  That trend continued over the following two years.  He did throw out a career-high 39% of base stealers.  He missed the last third of the season with a hip injury, then the Dodgers non-tendered him in the off-season.

2011
MLB:  237/324/408, 417 AB, 17 2B, 18 HR, 50 BB, 81 K, 8-10 SB

Martin signed a two-year deal with the Yankees and became their starting catcher.  He hit for a low average, but his power bounced back.  His plate discipline, although still fairly good, dropped off.  He hit dramatically better in Yankee Stadium, posting a .780 OPS there and .688 on the road.

2012
MLB:  211/311/403, 422 AB, 18 2B, 21 HR, 53 BB, 95 K, 6-7 SB

Martin’s average continued to drop and his plate discipline continued to slip, but he hit his career high in HRs.  He hit 13 of the 21 at home, but hit slightly better overall on the road (.728 OPS to .699).  The low average resulted from an extremely low BABIP of .222.  The reason for the low BABIP isn’t readily apparent, as Martin still runs reasonably well for a catcher.  His BABIP was also low in 2011 at .252.

The Pirates are taking a risk with Martin.  After two bad years in LA, the only thing that salvaged his hitting in New York was increased power.  It didn’t result entirely from Yankee Stadium, but Martin’s HR/flyball ratio was extremely high in both years, far above any of his previous seasons.  It’s extremely unlikely he’ll be able to keep up that power production in PNC Park.