Andy Marte

How good is he? Very good I think. Since his full season debut at Macon in 2002 (where he was only 18) most of his primary stats (HR, AVG, SLG etc..) have remained steady but still uspectacular. He is one of those guys that can lull you to sleep unless you look at things closely and in persepctive. This year Andy is 21 year old at AAA. That is quite young, especially when you consider that AAA is full of older guys waiting in the wings to be called up. His average has always remained in the .265-.280 ranges yet people constantly say that in his prime they expect several seasons akin to Adrian Beltre's 2004 (.334, 48 HR & 1017 OPS). I find that a strange prediction considering his highest AVG in the minors has been .285. I am willing to be though that it is based on his improving plate discipline and age relative to league. With a more indepth look at his stats you see that every year, despite being one of the youngest players in the league each year, his K/BB numbers increase: 2.8 to 1 in 2002, 1.7 to 1 in 03, 1.8 in 04, and so far in 05 he is down to 1.3 to 1 and has struck out around 20 less times through the same number of ABs as last year. Just since last year he went from striking out 27% of the time to 21%. In 550 ABs that pro rates out to 115-120 Ks not too bad for a projected 45 HR hitter especially if he walks 85+ times. The reason why so many people like him is because is projectable and his projections are quite high. He reminds me of Mark Texeira in that regard. Well there is my first prospect bio what do you think?