Marco Scutaro

Marco Scutaro
Toronto Blue Jays – No. 19
Infielder
Bats: Right Throws: Right
debut
July 27, 2002, for the New York Mets
Career statistics (through September 2, 2009)
Batting average	.265
Home runs	50
Runs batted in	294
Hits	727
doubles	150
Teams
New York Mets (2002–2003) Oakland Athletics (2004–2007) Toronto Blue Jays (2008–present)

Marcos Hernandez "Marco" Scutaro (Template:PronEng; born October 30, 1975 in Yaracuy State, Venezuela to an Italian father and a Spanish mother) is a Major League Baseball infielder who plays for the Toronto Blue Jays. Previously, Scutaro played with the New York Mets (2002–2003) and the Oakland Athletics (2004–2007). He bats and throws right-handed.

Early career

After spending seven seasons in the minors with the Indians and Brewers systems, and two seasons with the Mets as a backup, Scutaro was given Oakland's starting second baseman job because Mark Ellis had a season-ending shoulder injury during 2004 spring training.

Oakland

Scutaro batting for the Athletics in 2005.

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, 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.

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 HR, 60 RBI, 35 doubles, 235 total bases, 162 hits, 100 runs, 14 stolen base, and 90 walks in 574 at bats.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference