Marco Scutaro
|
|
Marco Scutaro [SCOOT-uh-ro] (born October 30, 1975 in Yaracuy State, Venezuela) is a Major League Baseball second baseman who plays for the Oakland Athletics (2004-present). Previously, Scutaro played with the New York Mets (2002-03). He bats and throws right-handed.
After spending seven seasons in the minors with the Indians and Brewers systems, and two seasons with the Mets as a backup, Scutaro made the most of his chance he was given when Oakland's starting second baseman Mark Ellis had a season-ending shoulder injury in the 2004 spring training. It didn't take long for him to get in sync with Rookie of the Year shortstop Bobby Crosby in the middle infield. Scutaro starts the double play well, and his strength is a strong arm that allows him to go deep into the hole for grounders.
For Oakland, Scutaro managed to get the hits that counted, or move runners along, or whatever was required in each situation. Last season he reached career highs in batting average (.273), home runs (7), RBI (43), runs (50), hits (124), doubles (32), at-bats (455) and games played (137). Although he strikes out more than he walks, Scutaro becomes a good contact hitter when it's necessary to put the ball in play. He hits to all fields, and is successful against both left-handed and right-handed pitchers.
In a three-year career, Scutaro is a .261 hitter with 10 home runs and 55 RBI in 212 games.
See also
External links
- ESPN (profile and daily update) (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6966)
- Baseball Reference (statistics) (http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/scutama01.shtml)