In just about every mock draft I have been monitoring, including the one here at GSI that I'm participating in, Victor Martinez has been drafted ahead of Russell Martin.  Well, it's time we put an end to that insanity.

Now I'm not one to use quotation's from other fantasy writers, as I prefer to make up my own original ones. (Like the soon to be infamous, "Asians live vibrantly forever".  Inside joke for those of us here at GSI)  But when looking at ESPN's 2008 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit, I realized that lead writer Matthew Berry did the best job at describing this travesty.  I tried to improve upon it, but alas, could not.

Berry writes, "Martinez had six more home runs and batted eight points higher in 2007, while Martin had nine more runs. That's basically a wash to me. So it boils down to V-Mart's 27 more RBIs to Martin's 21 more stolen bases, and I value steals more than RBIs. Plus, there's no reason to think Martin won't improve. After all, new manager Joe Torre has had quite a bit of success with catchers, no?"

Bingo, baby.

Once again, too much emphasis is being placed on power numbers in fantasy.  Don't get me wrong, I love the big hitters as much as the next guy.  And I understand that chicks dig the longball.  But the fact of the matter is when it comes to fantasy, there are a plethora of guys who will give you very good production in the power department.  The positions of 1B, 3B, OF, and to some extent SS, are loaded with power guys.

Therefore it reasons that when looking at the catcher position, it would be far easier to replace the type of production that Martinez will give you, than the type of production that Martin will give you.  Are Matthew Berry and I the only fantasy players that are realizing this?

Plus when you take a look at the numbers, it is not like you are having to choose between power and speed.  Martin hit only 6 less bombs than Martinez and scored more runs.  You are just about getting the best of both world's here, at a position where there is a distinct drop-off after these two.

But the question is can Martin duplicate his production from last year?  Catcher is position notorious for killing players' knees and legs.  Seeing as steals is a key component to Martin's game, it is a valid question. 

I say Yes.

Martin is only 24 yrs. old and is entering only his third full Major League season.  At that age, he should have at least 4-5 more good years left in his legs easy before you have to start worrying about the inevitable "catcher's knees".  (Note:  Eventhough Martinez's game relies more on power, he is 29, which makes him a prime candidate to watch for tired legs due to catching.  Seeing as most power comes from a player's leg drive and hip turn, that might be something to pay attention to.  Just saying.)

In his two full seasons in the bigs, Martin has produced OBP's of .355 (2006) and .374 (2007).  Both are well above league average.  I expect him to do the same, which means he'll be on base enough to have the opportunity to steal bags and score runs.

The one X-factor in all this--and it's a big one--is new manager Joe Torre.  Torre may not be the best manager in the world with a pitching staff, but he certainly knows how to manage a loaded offensive lineup in a way that uses everyone's talents (see Yankee's teams he managed over the last decade).  I'm not too concerned right now that Martin will land in a slot in the lineup that will adversely affect his power.  In a quick scan of last year's box scores, Martin usually held down the 5 or 6-hole.  Those are not traditional speed slots, but Martin still swiped his 20 bags.

I don't see the addition of Andruw Jones, crappy Rafael Furcal and even crappier Juan Pierre affecting Martin's batting position adversely.  In fact, if Pierre and Furcal are as bad as this year as they were last year, Torre might even move Martin up in the order to take advantage of his speed and higher OBP.  Remember, Jones and Kent need someone to drive in ahead of them.

Lastly, I think Martin equals or betters his production in 2008 because he plays all of his home games in Dodger Stadium.  That ballyard is cavernous and doesn't allow many 'adios' balls at all.  But the gaps in the outfield are extremely inviting.  So if the Dodgers want to score runs, they are going to have to take advantage of their guys with speed to get into scoring position, then let the big dogs extra basehit them home.  This is not a yard that plays into the "wait for the 3-run homer" philosophy.  (Hence the reason I said Torre is a BIG X-factor.  Can he manage that way after so many years in the AL where it was wait on the home run ball philosophy.)

It appears that some of my fantasy brethren have started to become aware of this injustice even before this posting.  As of this writing, Martinez's ADP (Average Draft Position) was only one spot higher than Martin's (28 to 29).  We can do better.  We can push Martin by Martinez.  We can right this wrong.

But if you happen to play with some fellas less educated than you on this matter and Martinez is drafted first, then you just smile.  Smile in the confidence that you know you can still get Martin (the true best catcher in fantasy) at a pick somewhere in the 40's (I got him in the GSI draft at #44), making him one of the best bargains in the draft.