Countdown to Opening Day: Top NL Catcher for '08
Cain-Willis. In & Out... said 02/12, 07:26 PM
Who is the top NL catcher going into 2008? (Projected season)
1. Russell Martin(even though he is a dodger)
Martin tied for the NL catchers lead in HR with 19 in 2007. He didn't lead nl catchers in rbi, doubles, or triples, yet i feel he will have a really good season. He has never even batted .300! But i have seen his play day-in-and-day-out and he plays hurt and always gives 100%. I don't think injuries will be a factor and even though he plays in spacious Dodger Stadium i think he can put up some good stats.
Do you think another catcher will be better? Then let's td!
GO*Jord on a 18-2-6 run*CANUKS said 02/12, 07:39 PM
this is going to be a tough throwdown, but im going to have to go with Brian McCann of the Atlanta Braves. McCann hit .270 (3rd amongest NL catchers), hit 18 Home Runs (3rd), 92 RBI's (1st) and 51 runs (3rd). He was very durable and versitile as well, playing in 138 games out of 162, which is astonding for a catcher. Another interesting stat is that, with McCann catching, Braves pitchers have a 3.87 ERA. Without him catching, 4.96!
Cain-Willis. In & Out... said 02/12, 07:44 PM
Russell Martin is a very good all-around player! He nearly put up a 20-20-20 season(hr, doubles, steals) in 2007 and played an incredible 151 games! He lead nl catchers in hits, walks, runs, and OBP! With the Dodgers addition of Andruw Jones into the lineup as well as Kemp, Loney, and Eithier being one year older, Martin is going to get a lot of at-bats with men on base! It is very plausible that he could get 100 rbi's and put up 25 hr's while batting .300! Martin also steals bases! INCREDIBLE! A catcher that steals bases!
McCann is a good catcher, but he is not better than Martin. McCann has never played more that 139 games(Martin got 151). McCann also hits 44 points lower on the road than at home. Russell hit .329 on the road!
The Braves lost Renteria and Andruw Jones this off-season. McCann's rbi, and runs are going to drop!
In 2008, Martin will be the best.
GO*Jord on a 18-2-6 run*CANUKS said 02/12, 07:54 PM
Well, I think that the fact that some of his players can help some stats, by giving him a chance to bat in the 3-5 range, rather then 6th. Also, McCann is more experienced then Martin, and that might help him down the road into being consistent. On the thing of being consistent, Martin was not an example of this last year. His best monthly average was in the first of the season, and dropped of tremendously after the all-star break!
Cain-Willis. In & Out... said 02/12, 08:03 PM
Martin walked 67 times and McCann walked 35.
McCann stole 0 bases and got thrown out once. Martin was 21-9.
Martin won the 2007 Gold Glove.
Martin had a .843 OPS and McCann was .772
McCann played 12 fewer gamed but grounded into 3 more double plays.
McCann is also showing a downward trend in his hitting that will not improve with the weaker braves lineup. In 2007 he lost 63 points off his batting average, 6 home runs. He struck out more, walked less, and had lower OBP and SLG%. Martin has done nothing but get better as a player. He improved in every major category!!! And yes he tired as the season wore on, but what catcher wouldn't playing 151 games. His overall stats AND talent is better than McCann.
Martin has an 8.25 range factor compared to McCann's 7.59! McCann is not as mobile a catcher as Martin. All in all, Martin will the BEST in 2008!
GO*Jord on a 18-2-6 run*CANUKS said 02/12, 09:40 PM
McCann will benefit from the reduced Braves line-up, having better opportuinites. Stealing Bases for a catcher isnt that important, and risks there health. And McCann played hurt for most of the year last year, so his statss were not as good!
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Comments (9)
Good luck to you sir. :-)
Cain-Willis. In & Out... | 02/12/08, 07:29 PM
Report Offensive CommentWould you mystery people mind saying why you are voting against me?
Cain-Willis. In & Out... | 02/12/08, 08:01 PM
Report Offensive CommentI will say why I voted for you: Better argument, and Martin is the better player.
0x NBA/NFL Champion | 02/12/08, 08:22 PM
Report Offensive CommentIm not sayin Mauer will be better but i wont be suprised if Mauer has a great year this year.
CP3 *HoF* | 02/12/08, 08:54 PM
Report Offensive CommentMaCann is better
Ny - Ready For Change | 02/12/08, 08:57 PM
Report Offensive CommentVote right for disrespecting the Dodgers.
Cassidy's House: Smoke>Fire | 02/12/08, 09:09 PM
Report Offensive CommentI've got a feeling that McCann will bounce back hitting wise. In fact, I think he probably is the better hitter....but McCann really does struggle fielding the position, and that matters far more than the hitting.
Basketball Jesus: CHAMPION! | 02/12/08, 09:11 PM
Report Offensive CommentMauer is in the AL. But yes, he is a good hitter.
Cain-Willis. In & Out... | 02/13/08, 09:22 AM
Report Offensive CommentI'm gonna have to go with Willis.Martin will be a great catcher.
-Cincy- | 02/13/08, 09:30 AM
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