Marco Scutaro |
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Marcos Hernandez "Marco" Scutaro (pronounced /ˈskuːtəroʊ/; 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.
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 job because Mark Ellis had a season-ending shoulder injury during 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.
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 was of great value to the Oakland bench due to his ability to play multiple positions, including second base, shortstop, third base, and left field. Scutaro made a name for himself with the A's as a clutch hitter who saved the A's many times during the 2006 season with his late game heroics, including the clutch 3-run double late in game 3 of the 2006 ALDS that put the game on ice and sent the A's to the ALCS, where they lost in 4 games.