NL West Report: Can Russell Martin find his big boy bat?

The Dodgers were supposed to have an elite offense.  In fact, they do.  But one position they weren't worried about was catcher, where they were supposed to have one of the best young bats in the game.

I have had heated debates in the past year regarding the best young catcher in the NL.  Naturally, I am partial to Chris Iannetta.  There have been reasonable arguments, however, for Pittsburgh's Ryan Doumit, Chicago's Geovany Soto and Los Angeles' Russell Martin. 

So far this year, Iannetta has underperformed to be sure, but he's still put up better numbers than Soto, Doumit and Martin.  Okay, so it's no so fair to Doumit, who has been injured for two months.  But Soto has been terrible and Martin has played 62 games, 22 more than Iannetta.  CDI is in double figures in HR, so how is Martin doing?

Actually, Russell Martin hit his first home run of the season two days ago, off Angels starter Jered Weaver.  It was his first RBI and first 3-hit game since May 25 at Colorado.  Apparently, his resurgent power came from mimicking injured bench player Doug Mientkiewicz. 

You don't often see All-Stars finding their swing by watching hobbled bench players.

Russell Martin

#55 / Catcher / Los Angeles Dodgers

Height: 5-10

Weight: 210

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Feb 15, 1983

	AVG	OBP	SLG
2009 - Russell Martin	.248	.365	.302

 

 

For context, that OBP and SLG are both worse than not only Chris Iannetta, but just for fun, check them against Ubaldo Jimenez' slash stats (.304/.360/.304).  He has been less valuable than not only Iannetta but also two Marlins' catchers, two Braves catchers' and Cincy rookie Ryan Hanigan.  What is going on? 

In all honesty, I do not know.  His .303 BABIP is a little lower than his career numbers, but he's putting up a career best 20.7% line drive rate.  He's striking out a little more but walking just as much as we are used to.  Is it possible that he's just unlucky this season?  Or his batted balls have been hit with less authority due to a mechanical flaw? Maybe he was overperforming the last couple years.  Maybe he has lost strength due to fatigue by being used so frequently.  I'll let you make your own conclusions.

Arizona (29-41, 5th, L3, 17 GB)

Last Week: 2-1 @ Royals, 0-3 @ Mariners.

This Week: 3 game home series vs Rangers, 3 game home series vs. Angels

News:  Brandon Webb has not made any progress rehabbing his injury and may need shoulder surgery, which would leave him out for the year.  If so, Arizona may decline his option for 2010.  If all that goes down, Opening Day may be his last appearance in sedona red.  Weird.

Brandon Webb

#17 / Pitcher / Arizona Diamondbacks

Height: 6-2

Weight: 230

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: May 09, 1979

Jayson Stark writes that Arizona would like to trade Chad Tracy and Doug Davis, suggesting the Mets as a destination for Davis. 

Despite floundering in last place, Felipe Lopez wants to stay in Arizona.  He has been mentioned as a trade possibility, but he likes his teammates and the organization.

As you already know I'm sure, Arizona and Colorado have agreed to build a spring training facility in Scottsdale for use in 2011.  Check out opinions of 'Pitters.

The D-Backs signed 1st round and 17th overall pick AJ Pollack to a $1.4mil bonus.

More on the rest of the division after the fold.

Los Angeles (46-24, 1st, W2)

Last Week: 2-1 vs Athletics, 2-1 vs Angels. 

This Week: 3 game road series @ White Sox, 3 game home series vs Mariners.

News: Buster Olney thinks that Joe Torre is overusing his bullpen and will need help in the pen, assuming the overuse will lead to injuries or ineffectiveness.

It was initially reported that Shawn Estes retired, but it turns out he has not.  He has, however, been unsuccessful at earning his release from the Dodgers.

Shawn Estes

#36 / Pitcher / Los Angeles Dodgers

Height: 6-2

Weight: 200

Bats: R

Throws: L

Born: Feb 18, 1973

Released Val Pascucci.

Signed Korean HS corner IF Tae-hyeok Nam.

Manny Ramirez will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday at AAA Albuquerque so that he'll be ready for his return July 3 for his 50-game suspension.  What makes no sense to me is that minor league players don't get "rehab assignments" when they are suspended under the substance abuse policy.  Why should Ramirez get the benefit of playing anywhere before his suspension is up?  50 games should mean 50 games. 

San Diego (30-38, 4th, W1, 15 GB)

Last Week: 1-2 vs Mariners.  1-2 vs Athletics. 

This Week: 3 game road series @ Mariners, 3 game road series @ Rangers.

News:  Nick Canepa of the San Diego Union-Tribuine suggests the Padres truly commit to their youth movement and inject youth as much as possible.

Kevin Towers suggests that that is exactly what they will do if they fall completely out of contention. 

The Padres have been making a lot of roster moves recently, and Paul DePodesta gives the rundown on the moves:

• Everth Cabrera has been activated off the disabled list.  To make room, the Padres released Josh Wilson, who was immediately picked up by his third team - Seattle - in as many months.
• Wade LeBlanc got the call from AAA and is now in the rotation.
• Cliff Floyd was placed on the 60-day DL with a shoulder injury, while Nick Hundley and Chris Young joined Jake Peavy on the 15-day DL with a shoulder injuries.
• Bud Black's rotation now includes Josh Geer, Wade LeBlanc, Chad Gaudin, Kevin Correia and Walter Silva.
• The contract of top prospect Kyle Blanks was purchased from AAA and Arturo Lopez, who the Rockies beat up in his MLB debut earlier this year, was claimed off waivers by the Mets.

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Chris Young

#32 / Pitcher / San Diego Padres

Height: 6-10

Weight: 280

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: May 25, 1979

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Brian Lawrence signed a minor league deal with San Diego.  The 2003 and 2004 Padres' Opening Day starter will report to AAA Portland but could provide assistance with the big club soon despite being out of the big leagues since 2007.

Acquired LH RP Mike O'Connor from Washington for a PTBNL. 

San Francisco (37-31, 2nd, W3, 8 GB)

Last Week: 0-3 vs  Angels, 3-0 vs Rangers.   Texas didn't help the Rockies out by getting swept.  Had the Rangers won the series, the Rockies would be in 2nd place in the NL West.

This Week:  3 game road series @ Athletics, 3 game road series @ Brewers

News: Jonathan Sanchez may not be tradeable.  His value has diminished on a Garrett Atkins level this season.  Sanchez is 2-7 with a 5.43 ERA so far this season.

Infielder Emmanuel Burriss was optioned to AAA last week in favor of Matt Downs.  Burriss had gone 12 days without a hit.  Catcher Steve Holm was DFA'd to make room on the 40-man roster.

Reliever Shingo Takatsu signed a minor league contract.  He hasn't pitched in the majors in four years, when he was with the Mets.  He was the 2004 AL ROY runner-up with the White Sox.

The Rockies are struggling with having six outfielders who deserve regular at-bats at the major league level.  The Giants are struggling with having too many "almost-average" OFs.  McCovey Chronicles discusses who should be getting the AB's.