Marco Scutaro

Marco Scutaro
Scutaro with the Red Sox on April 28, 2011
Colorado Rockies – No. 19
Second baseman / Shortstop
Born: October 30, 1975 (1975-10-30) 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 (2010–2011)

Marcos Hernandez "Marco" Scutaro ( /ˈskuːtəroʊ/; born October 30, 1975) is a Venezuelan professional baseball second baseman and shortstop with the Colorado Rockies. A native of Yaracuy State, Venezuela, Scutaro has previously played with the New York Mets (2002–2003), Oakland Athletics (2004–2007), Toronto Blue Jays (2008–2009) and the Boston Red Sox (2010-2011). He bats and throws right-handed.

Career

Cleveland Indians

Scutaro originally signed with the Cleveland Indians as an amateur free agent on July 26, 1994.

Milwaukee Brewers

He was traded by the Indians to the Milwaukee Brewers on August 30, 2000 as the "player to be named later" in a trade that had sent Kane Davis, Paul Rigdon and Richie Sexon to the Brewers for Jason Bere, Bob Wickman and Steve Woodard on July 28. Scutaro was 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.

New York Mets

Scutaro was selected off waivers by the New York Mets on April 5, 2002.

Oakland Athletics

Scutaro batting for the Athletics in 2005

He was again selected off waivers, this time by the Oakland Athletics, on October 9, 2003.

Scutaro landed a starting second baseman position after Mark Ellis had a season-ending shoulder injury during 2004 spring training.

In 2004, he reached career highs in batting average (.273), runs batted in (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.

World Baseball Classic

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. He again represented Venezuela in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Toronto Blue Jays

Scutaro with the Blue Jays on May 27, 2009

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

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 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 home runs, 60 runs batted in, 35 doubles, 235 total bases, 162 hits, 100 runs, 14 stolen bases, 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 included a third-year mutual option. On April 12, 2010, Scutaro recorded the first hit in Target Field history on a single up the middle in the first inning off of Minnesota 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.

Colorado Rockies

On January 21, 2012, Scutaro was acquired by the Colorado Rockies for Clayton Mortensen.

External links

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