|
2008 "Lou Marson" just sounds like a catcher's name, a hard-nosed, bruised-knuckles catcher who runs the team from behind the plate, but even if it turns out that Marson likes cucumber sandwiches on hot days and knows all the words to "I'm Called Little Buttercup," he still has the makings of a fine major league catcher. The question is whether he will hit enough to start. The Phillies believe he will, but 2007 was the first year he showed any kind of offensive proficiency beyond the ability to draw walks. Stay tuned for early results from Double-A; if Marson keeps hitting he'll be pressing Carlos Ruiz in short order. 2007 Another contender, along with Jaramillo and Ruiz, for future Philly catching jobs, Marson only converted to catcher after being drafted--his best high school position was quarterback, but an injury cost him his chance at gridiron glory. Marson made a dramatic improvement in his K/BB ratio within the season, from 52:19 in the first half to 28:29 in the second, and, with that, he gained in average (from .210 to .267) and power (from .276 to .428). It`s that second-half kick that puts him on the radar.
|