He Still Could Be a Contender

Andy Marte is beginning to feel it again and whatever it is, it is good.

The third baseman who was twice traded during the 2005-06 offseason is 13 for his last 31 (.419) with 3 doubles, 2 homers, and 9 ribbies. Even more impressive, he has walked three times to just five strikeouts. Before those nine games, Marte had struck out 57 times for Buffalo and walked just 16 times so any news on that front is good news.

Obviously, a small sample size can make any player look like Superman. Nevertheless, when a former prized prospect begins to look like...well, a prized prospect again, it's time to take a moment and ponder. Marte will turn 24 in October so he's hardly looking at a clock expiring. Remember, Wilson Betemit needed a few years to get it, too.

A few years, the choice between Marte and Jeff Francoeur was well discussed on Braves forums. Who was the better prospect, the patient power hitter who reminded people of Matt Williams or the free-swinging good looking kid who seemed like Dale Murphy was back with the Braves. I always stuck with Marte. But after posting a near .100 IsoOBP at Richmond in 2005 that saw him receive a brief cup of coffee with the Braves, Marte slumped after his trade. He walked 47 times between Cleveland and Buffalo last year and was off to an even worse start this year before recent times. When a .275 type hitter with power isn't walking, it's probably the old adage at work. He's not seeing the ball well or he is trying to do too much. Well, Marte is sitting back and making more contact and letting his power do its thing. The results have been thoroughly impressive.

I still think he'll be a consistent power hitter for 15 years.

It'll also be nice to get those people off my back that are still holding it over me that Marte hasn't been that good yet.

I love being right too much.