Marco Scutaro
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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|---|---|
| Oakland Athletics — No. 19 | |
| Infielder | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
| July 27, 2002 for the New York Mets | |
Marco Scutaro (pronounced /ˈskud̪əɾo/; born October 30, 1975 in Yaracuy State, Venezuela) to an Italian father and a Spanish mother, 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. In 2004 he reached career highs in batting average (.273), 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. He has great value to the Oakland bench due to his ability to play multiple positions, including second base, shortstop, third base, and left field.
In a four-year career, Scutaro is a .256 hitter with 19 home runs and 92 RBI in 330 games. While in the minors with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians in 2001, Scutaro was one of four players profiled in the documentary film "A Player To Be Named Later".
Because of his Italian heritage, Scutaro was given the option of playing for either Italy or Venezuela in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. He chose to play for Venezuela as a utility infielder.
