FanPost

Martinez's Annual Slump

Ever wondered why Martinez has an awful month every year, me too!

April 2004 - .246 4HR and 9RBI (.338OBP)
May 2005 - .213 2HR and 7RBI (.268OBP)
May 2006 - .165 0HR and 9RBI (.232OBP)

While Martinez has had other "poor" months (August 2004, April 2005) these months stand out because immidiately following he had one of the better months of his carrer.

I know cold weather has been brought up in the past, but from what I remember of his days in Buffalo - much worse climate then Cleveland - he wasn't a poor April/May hitter.  Infact, his April this season gave me the impression that he had figured out this "cold weather curse".
To further the "CWC", September has been Victors best career month (batting average and on base percentage).  

With those thoughts in mind, whats the deal?  Why does he annually have a month in which he is a complete mess?  There is nothing that shows a significant decrease in his ability to take pitches.  His strikeout rate doesn't increase.  His walk rate is typically the lowest of the season, but its not too far off.  This season he posted unusual GB/FB/LD ratios, but those aren't consistent with his other "slump" months.  All that I can really see by viewing his graphs (over at fangraphs.com) is that he is pretty much "unlucky" over those months as for some unknown reason his BABIP drops to a pathetic percentage.

I'm not complaining, just curious.

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