"He might be pressing because he's trying to impress a new organization and it's easy for him to try and over-do things," said Lovullo. "But he's driving the ball gap to gap and in time those production numbers will be right where they belong."
The minor league umpires strike is taking its toll on Marte’s production as it has with countless other players this season.
"Offensively he's struggled a bit and I think he's been frustrated," said a National League scout who covers the IL. "He's had some bad calls (go) against him. Having sat behind home plate I've seen more bad called strikes on him than on other players. It's just a coincidence, probably, but then he expands his strike zone a little bit.
"What's happened to him is these bad calls have put him in a hole a little bit. But for a power guy, a guy who's going to hit for average, he's relatively patient and I think he's got a good concept of the strike zone."
Lovullo got a good look at Marte before he was named Buffalo's manager for 2006. He managed against Marte for three years in the Carolina League and the Southern League.
"When I managed against him I thought he was a special player, one that doesn't come along but once every 10 years," said Lovullo. "I knew all along just from looking at him and talking to him as a third base coach that this was a special individual - and not just from the standpoint of his physical abilities.
"Outside of that he's got something the Indians like to measure and that's character. Now, it's time to develop things that will make him a better player and eventually a big league player."
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