Fantasy Baseball: Michael Taylor or Fernando Martinez?

by Ray Guilfoyle on Jan 8, 2026 4:27 PM EST

I am working on my Top Fantasy Outfield Prospect Rankings for 2011 and have included Athletics outfielder Michael Taylor and Mets outfielder Fernando Martinez in my list. What I am wondering is: who will have a better career between the two?

Taylor fell on hard times in AAA in 2010 hitting just .272-.348-.392 with 6 HRs, 78 RBIs and 16 SBs with a 92-51 K/BB rate. This was after his 2009 season, in AA and AAA, where he hit .320-.395-.549 where he hit 20 HRs, 84 RBIs, and 20 SBs. The power drop is shocking considering Taylor has the size-he's 6'6'', 260 LB.- to play tight end or defensive end in the NFL.

With Martinez, the issues are two-fold. One, he can't stay healthy, and two, he is regressing at the dish as he moves up the ladder. In 2010, at AAA Buffalo, in just 303 ABs he hit just .253-.317-.455 with 12 HRs, 33 RBIs and 1 SB with a 65-17 K/BB rate. This after he hit .290-.337-.540 with 8 HRs, 28 RBIs, 2 SBs and a K/BB rate of 33-11 in just 190 at bats. What is amazing is that 2010 was Martinez's 5th minor league season and he has accumulated just 1,507 plate appearances.

It is safe to say that the prospect status of both Taylor and Martinez has dropped, and both are close to the majors. Which one will step up in 2011 and regain their top prospect status?

Poll

Which outfielder will regain his prospect status in 2011 and have the better 2011 season?

Taylor

731 votes

Martinez

381 votes

1112 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 16 comments | 0 recs |

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Read More: Fernando Martinez (CF - NYM), Michael Taylor (RF - OAK), Oakland Athletics, New York Mets

Comments

Give me F-Mart

But I don’t see either coming close to recapturing their prospect status.

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by Jeff Reese on Jan 8, 2026 4:36 PM EST reply actions

Taylor

shoulder issue he picked up in winter ball was the big reason for that 2010 power drop - it didn’t just disappear after a .900 OPS 3 years in the phillies systems……fully expect a return to form in 2011

by Wheelhouse on Jan 8, 2026 4:55 PM EST reply actions

Neither

This poll needed a neither option.

by haven on Jan 8, 2026 7:52 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

Rec'd

by Dr Mcsexy on Jan 8, 2026 9:06 PM EST up reply actions

agreed. Honestly don't see either guy becoming the player he was once thought to be.

by cyder7830 on Jan 8, 2026 10:16 PM EST up reply actions

I think you have to go with Taylor.

I really like FMart’s bat, but his knee issues are the biggest red flags in this…uh… flag store. Matt Pignataro pointed this out to me the other day on twitter… FMart has pretty serious arthritis problems already:

http://www.metsminorleagueblog.com/2010/12/01/fernando-martinez-arthritis-that-cant-be-good/

So… that’s not a condition that will ever go away. Given that issue, he’s a much worse bet to have a good career. It will limit his defensive abilities, playing time, effectiveness and perhaps even require a position change.

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twitter: @alskor

by alskor on Jan 8, 2026 10:30 PM EST reply actions

Michael Taylor's loss of bat speed is just as big of an issue, I think

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by Jeff Reese on Jan 8, 2026 11:03 PM EST up reply actions

For me...

I see one as strictly a medical issue that will hamper performance whereas the other is entirely a performance issue.

To elaborate… it is not inconceivable that Taylor’s bat speed comes back… but we know for an absolute fact that FMart won’t grow new cartilage to stop his bones from rubbing against each other. Neither is a great situation… and FMart could very well end up a better player than Taylor… but if you’re asking me who has the better career I have to say Taylor because FMart already has a condition that could and likely will limit the duration of his career.

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twitter: @alskor

by alskor on Jan 9, 2026 6:54 PM EST up reply actions

enbrel baby

there are things that can be done, including tnf blockers, and a meniscus transplant or one of the “randy johnson” injections. I have arthritis and tnf blockers are magical

by Cesar V on Jan 9, 2026 10:03 PM EST up reply actions

Sure... and microfracture at some point.

That all scares me, though. None of those actually fix the problem, they basically just help him cope with the symptoms.

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twitter: @alskor

by alskor on Jan 10, 2026 12:56 PM EST up reply actions

I guess, but do players often regain lost bat speed?

I think F-Mart is a better bet to contribute, but that Taylor has a higher ceiling.

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by Jeff Reese on Jan 10, 2026 7:40 PM EST up reply actions

I originally went F-Mart but you swayed me

The concerns about F-Mart’s knee are just too hard to ignore. I have to give the edge to Taylor.

Dewey and KBR are just.......too........sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!!!!

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by King Billy Royal on Jan 9, 2026 12:49 AM EST up reply actions

+1

That is scary - drops him quite a ways on my list, and I was a long time supporter of his.

by cookiedabookie on Jan 9, 2026 12:59 PM EST up reply actions

F-Mart

Both players have seen their prospect status take a hit last year. F-Mart has been a gradual dimming as he has had injuries stunting his tools whereas Taylor just had a bad year.

IMO, F-Mart tools are just a bit more tantalizing. i am a Mets fans (full disclosure) but it goes beyond that as I believe his bat can be special on its own producing both power and average. He may never realize his speed potential, control the strike zone in a way that produces a high on base or patrol CF as once thought … But he can be a Shin Choo Choo type of an offensive talent which we know is quite useful.

I am no means down on Michael Taylor but just a tad bit higher of F-Mart.

by bryeic on Jan 9, 2026 3:25 PM EST reply actions

I'd like to emphasize that I still really like FMart's bat. He really squares stuff up. Makes a different sound.

Do not drop him completely off your radar or anything. His knees aren’t wrecked already… but it is a serious concern, obviously. Its a major concern HERE b/c we’re comparing careers and that involves an estimation of the longevity of their careers. I don’t think FMart is a significantly worse prospect than Taylor… and its quite possible FMart is a better player at his peak… but if you ask me about careers I have to heavily account for the arthritis issues.

www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor

by alskor on Jan 10, 2026 12:59 PM EST reply actions