(Chris Marrero flashes the leather in his fisrt chance as a Major League ballplayer. Screen grab via MASN/TV.)
It seemed oddly fitting that Chris Marrero, drafted by Jim Bowden, would make his Major League debut for the Nationals in Cincinnati Saturday night.
And it seemed oddly fitting that Chris Marrero, with a reputation for his defensive struggles in the minors since being drafted #15 overall in the 2006 draft, would botch his first chance of his first major league start and be charged with an error. But maybe that reputation is overstated; the story goes that he's been improving defensively. And then Marrero earned his 2nd error of the night on a throwing error shortly thereafter in the third inning. Two errors and counting. Chalk it up to first game jitters.
Fear not: Marrero registered his first hit; a two-out single to left in the fourth inning. Welcome to the Big Leagues, kid. At least you can hit.
Heres the official release from the Nationals earlier today, announcing Marrero's callup:
NATIONALS RECALL 1B CHRIS MARRERO FROM SYRACUSE
The Washington Nationals today recalled first baseman Chris Marrero from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
Marrero batted .300 (fifth in IL) with 30 doubles (tied for sixth), 14 home runs, 69 RBI and 59 runs scored in 127 contests this season with the Chiefs. His 145 hits rank second in the league, and thanks to 58 walks (tied for eighth) he has posted a .375 on-base percentage (tied for third) and .825 OPS (10th).
The Nationals’ first-round (15th overall) selection in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft, Marrero is batting .293 and has averaged 16 home runs, 76 RBI, 66 runs scored and 50 walks over the last three seasons (2009-11).
Marrero, 23, is a three-time minor league All-Star and has posted a .285 batting average with 134 doubles, seven triples, 83 home runs and 369 RBI during his six minor league seasons.
Entering this season, Marrero was tabbed the No. 9 prospect in Washington’s system by Baseball America.
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Ugh...we already have a 'project' at short -- Morse is MLB ready. Maybe it doesn't matter to the FO, but I'd sure like to finish ahead of the Mets and Marlins this season.
Posted by: Peanuts and Cracker Jack | August 27, 2011 at 08:55 PM
Why? To make yourself feel slightly better about a lost season? The important part is to see what talent we have available to us for the next year and beyond.
Seems Marrero calmed down after the first few innings. Make a couple of nice error-saving scoops as well. Now if only the Nats could get some hits with men on base...
Posted by: TheYellowSlant | August 27, 2011 at 10:08 PM
Winning teams handle their players with an eye on winning 1st and player development happens at the pace based on player performance so if the player doesn't perform, back to the Minors.
You saw that earlier this year with the Giants and Brandon Belt and the Angels with Mike Trout. Both were up and didn't perform and went back to the Minors for a tuneup and now are back up.
Marrero deserved a callup several months ago and now has to show he belongs but yesterday is one game. He got 1 more hit than Ryan Zimmerman did yesterday and 2 more errors.....
Posted by: Michael L.G. | August 28, 2011 at 10:59 AM