Victor Martinez

2013

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2012

Martinez proved to be the perfect fit for the Tigers last season, hitting .330/.380/.470 with 103 RBI and 76 runs in 540 at-bats. He hit just 12 home runs – his lowest total in any 500 at-bat season in his career – but still showed plenty of pop with 40 doubles. While Martinez was originally expected to split time at catcher with Alex Avila, the veteran backstop ended up making just 26 appearances behind the plate due to a lingering knee injury. The knee problem wasn’t enough to sideline Martinez for long, as he continued to log at-bats at designated hitter. V-Mart was going to serve as the regular DH in 2012, but he suffered a torn ACL to his left knee in January and could miss the entire season as a result.

2011

Martinez appeared to be a nice fit in Boston. He liked the city, he was a big-time bat for the middle of lineup, and he filled a screaming need at catcher. Additionally, he showed versatility at first base and could have become the designated hitter once the Red Sox part ways with David Ortiz. Alas, the Red Sox had concerns about the final years of a long-term contract for a 32-year-old catcher. The Tigers, however, didn't. In Detroit, Martinez is expected to be the team's primary DH with Alex Avila working as the team's No. 1 backstop. Martinez will likely catch on days when Detroit faces a left-hander -- Avila is a lefty swinger and Martinez absolutely mashes southpaws. He's a nice fit in Detroit and if not asked to catch every day, may still be a good fit in 2014 when the contract expires.

2010

Martinez gave Boston a consistent bat from the catcher spot after his arrival from Cleveland at the trade deadline. Though he rotated between catcher, first base and designated hitter, Martinez finished the season as Boston's everyday catcher, replacing the slumping Jason Varitek. He helped carry the Red Sox in the final two months, hitting .336/.405/.507 with eight homers and 41 RBI in 56 games. The 2010 season will be his first one as a full-time catcher since 2007, which is something to consider heading into the season, but Martinez should remain one of the elite hitting catchers in baseball.

2009

Martinez had to think someone had a voodoo doll bearing his resemblance as he missed time with elbow, hamstring, neck and hand injuries last season and was limited to just 266 at-bats. He failed to homer until September, a month that saw him hit .288 with 14 RBI. His 2007 season (.301, 25 HR, 114 RBI) was quite likely his peak, but there's no reason to not expect a rebound season out of Martinez. Look for the Indians to play him a little more often at first base in an effort to keep him healthy, but he should still remain eligible as a catcher for the foreseeable future. He'll return to the elite at his position.

2008

Martinez set a career high in homers (25) and RBI (114) in 2007, but he's been a special hitter for four years running now. After a monsterous May and June he cooled off a little, but still managed an .810 OPS with nine homers and 46 RBI in the second half. A rebound season out of Travis Hafner and the emergence of Asdrubal Cabrera should keep the RBI chances flowing, but whether he can surpass his career-high totals in 2008 will largely depend on whether he can avoid those nagging injuries that catchers can get. The Indians did move him over to first base for 30 games last season in an effort to keep his bat in the lineup while getting him out from behind the plate so that should help. It'll be tough to expect a repeat performance from the 29-year-old but you're still looking at one of the elite catchers even if he takes a small step back.

2007

Even though he can kill you for a month (.165 in June last year), Martinez has vaulted himself to the top of any catcher list you pick up. His defense has always been a concern, but overall the positives far outweigh the negatives. While we would love to see a power spike in 2007, you can certainly expect 15 HR, 85 RBI, 80 runs and an average north of .300. If you like taking catchers early, take this one even earlier.

2006

The question now isn't whether Martinez should be the top catcher selected on draft day. The question is how early to pick him. Martinez posted back-to-back dominant offensive seasons, not slowed by the rigors of catching 140-plus games. Entering the season at the pivotal age of 27, Martinez could be poised for another big year -- even bigger than his previous two. After signing a five-year, $15.5 million deal in April 2005, there are only baseball-related things to think about. With impressive ability behind the plate and at bat, there just aren't many worries.

2005

After being highly touted as one of the league's best prospects, Martinez exploded on offense in 2004 when he raised his slugging percentage well over 100 points from the limited time he saw with the Indians in 2003 and provided solid defense behind the plate at catcher. There is no doubt that in 2005 he deserves to be ranked in the top three among catchers.

2004

Martinez is an extremely high-ceiling player that will get his shot in 2004 as the starter, a shot many thought he'd get in 2003. Questions about his defense, which kept him in the minors to begin with, seem to have been resolved.

2003

Two-time organizational MVP, Martinez is ready and right in line with GM Mark Shapiro's 2004 view. He has all the makings of a fantasy stud at catcher. The trade of Einar Diaz opens the door for Martinez to make the Opening Day roster. Despite questions about his defense, he is the best AL catching prospect. He will challenge immediately for the starting job with Josh Bard and may win it.