Marco Scutaro

Marco Scutaro
Boston Red Sox — No. 10
Shortstop
Born: October 30, 1975 (1975-10-30) (age 36) San Felipe, Venezuela
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 27, 2002 for the New York Mets
Career statistics (through 2011 season)
Batting average	.270
Home runs	68
Runs batted in	404
Hits	1019
Teams
New York Mets (2002–2003) Oakland Athletics (2004–2007) Toronto Blue Jays (2008–2009) Boston Red Sox (2010–present)

Marcos Hernandez "Marco" Scutaro ( /ˈskuːtəroʊ/; born October 30, 1975) is a Venezuelan professional baseball shortstop with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. A native of Yaracuy State, Venezuela, Scutaro formerly played with the New York Mets (2002–2003), Oakland Athletics (2004–2007) and the Toronto Blue Jays (2008–2009). He bats and throws right-handed.

Early career

After spending seven seasons in minor league baseball in the Indians and Brewers organizations, and two seasons with the Mets as a backup, Scutaro landed a starting second baseman position after Mark Ellis had a season-ending shoulder injury during 2004 spring training. Scutaro was also in the 2005 documentary film "A Player to Be Named Later" which followed various players from Indianapolis Indians, the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, for one season.

Scutaro batting for the Athletics in 2005.

Oakland Athletics

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). He played multiple positions, including second base, shortstop, third base, and left field.

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 ^[1], 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.

Toronto Blue Jays

On November 18, 2007, Scutaro was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for minor league pitchers Kristian Bell and Graham Godfrey.^[2]

Scutaro was the Jays' third baseman for at least a month, after a finger injury sustained by teammate Scott Rolen, and then returned to a starter's role after an injury to David Eckstein in his right hip flexor suffered on May 6. Shortly after Eckstein's return, David and Blue Jays teammate, Aaron Hill collided trying to catch a fly ball. Hill suffered from concussion-like symptoms and Scutaro filled in at second base.

Scutaro during his tenure with the Blue Jays in 2009.

Scutaro was the starting shortstop for the Blue Jays in 2009, and had his best season to date, achieving career highs in almost every offensive category: 12 HR, 60 RBI, 35 doubles, 235 total bases, 162 hits, 100 runs, 14 stolen base, and 90 walks in 574 at bats.

Boston Red Sox

On December 3, 2009, Scutaro agreed to a two-year, $11 million deal with the Boston Red Sox. The deal also includes a third-year mutual option.^[3] On April 12, 2010, Scutaro recorded the first hit in Target Field history on a single up the middle in the first inning off Twins starter Carl Pavano. Soon after, he was caught stealing second base, making him the first out recorded at the Twins' new ballpark. In his first season with the team, Scutaro set a number of career highs, including games (150), at-bats (632), hits (174) and doubles (38) while suffering for much of the season with a right shoulder injury which forced him out of practice.^[4]

References

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)