Victor Martinez Stats & Scouting Report

AB	7297
AVG	.295
OBP	.36
SLG	.455
HR	246

Full name Victor Jesus Martinez
Born 12/23/1978 in Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 235 / Bats: S / Throws: R
Debut 09/10/2002

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Martinez has won back-to-back batting titles and MVP awards in the high Class A Carolina and Double-A Eastern leagues--as a switch-hitting catcher. In 2002, he also led the EL in slugging percentage, on-base percentage and runs. Martinez is a natural hitter with tremendous strike-zone discipline and an uncanny ability to produce from either side of the plate. He rarely swings and misses. His power numbers jumped in 2002 as he got stronger. He has shown an ability to pick the pitch and count that allow him to drive the ball. Martinez' skills at calling a game and blocking and receiving pitches are also major league ready. Martinez' throwing needs work. It's a matter of getting his footwork and arm action aligned. He struggles to stay mechanically consistent, which led to him throwing out just two of 13 big leaguers who tried to steal on him in September. Martinez could battle Josh Bard for a big league job, but he'll more likely begin the year in Triple-A. He's Cleveland's long-term catcher and a future all-star.
Catchers don't normally win batting titles, so when Martinez led the high Class A Carolina League in hitting in 2001, it propelled him onto this list for the first time. Martinez, the most improved player in the organization, made gigantic strides after missing two months in 2000 season with shoulder problems. He has hit .305 in five years a pro. He's a switch-hitter who can produce for average, and he should hit for more power as he matures. There aren't too many catchers who can do that. But it doesn't end there. He also has tremendous poise, presence and leadership. He has unbelievably soft hands and calls a great game. Managers rated him the CL's best defensive catcher. His arm is a little weak, so he has to rely on a quick release to throw runners out. He erased just 29 percent of basestealers in 2001, compared to the CL average of 39 percent. He'll have to work hard on his throwing mechanics in order to control a running game. With Einar Diaz established on the big league club, there's no need to rush Martinez. He'll open the 2002 season at Double-A Akron.

Minor League Top Prospects

With two league batting titles in the previous two years, Martinez needed to prove his mettle defensively this season. The results were mixed. He continued to make strides in overcoming the language barrier with his pitchers, calling games and receiving pitches. He'd rate as an average defender if not for his struggles in controlling the running game. Martinez successfully threw out basestealers at just a 14 percent clip, the worst mark among IL regulars. He played 14 games at first base and three at DH, and could end up at either position if the Indians aren't satisfied with his defense. There are no questions about Martinez at the plate. After hitting .215 through 151 at-bats, he made adjustments and would have finished second in the batting race had his late-June promotion not left him short of qualifying. The switch-hitter is strong from both sides of the plate, displays a strong knowledge of the strike zone and should increase his power production as he gains experience and strength.
Akron was the winningest team in the minors with 93 victories. Martinez spearheaded that effort, capturing his second straight MVP award and batting title while also leading the EL in runs, on-base percentage (.417) and slugging (.576). While no one questioned his bat, his work behind the place received mixed reviews. While managers have named him the best defensive catcher in his league for two years running, Martinez threw out just 25 percent of basestealers, the fourth-worst mark in the league. His receiving skills and game-calling abilities received praise. "If he threw better, he'd be a future all-star catcher," one scout said. Countered another: "He does it all. He is a plus defender who can hit for average and power."
Kinston's 2.73 team ERA was the best in the league. While Top 20 prospects Alex Herrera, Shane Wallace and Brian Tallet (plus righthander Kyle Denney) received most of the acclaim, it was impossible to overlook Martinez. Martinez won the MVP award and batting title. He also has gap power and decent plate discipline, and he was much improved after batting a weak .217 in 26 Carolina League games in 2000. But it was his work behind the plate that managers wanted to talk about. They named him the league's best defensive catcher, praising his game-calling ability and his strong, accurate arm. "He might be the best all-around catcher I've seen in this league," said Snitker, who has managed the Pelicans since their inception in 1999.