Marson Mania is kicking into full gear. Lou made this week’s Ten Pack;
Marson was one of the Phillies’ breakout players last year, batting .288/.373/.407 at High-A Clearwater while featuring plenty of athleticism behind the plate. All of that has led to another step forward this year, as Marson is currently riding a nine-game hitting streak is which he’s reached base 22 times and driven in 15 runs. Now batting .345/.462/.460 for the R-Phils, Marson has turned into an absolute on-base machine, reaching safely at an even .500 pace in 21 May games, and he’s doing his part defensively as well by nailing 39 percent of opposing basestealers. From nice catching prospect to very good one, Marson could fill one of the Phillies few lineup weaknesses by mid-2009.
~applause~
That makes for one happy NEPhilliesPhan!!!
BTW…its at least an 11 game hitting streak…not 9.
It’s funny that he used the term “on-base machine”. Earlier last week, when LMM (Lou Marson Mania) was begining, I used the term “OBP machine”. He’s a machine alright and one that appears to be gaining speed.
I like Marson as much as the next guy, and I think he has a very bright future. However, lets keep things in perspective. He only has 12 extra base hits in 143 PA. So, while he is riding an incredibly hot OBP bat right now, how does he look when that regresses a bit. Also, while I would love to have one young starting catcher with both offense and defense, how much of an improvement is Marson over the platoon of Ruiz/Coste? I say minimal.
Minimal? Um, I’ll have to disagree with that. Again, look at Russell Martin’s age 22 season in AA. And look where he is now. Would Martin be an upgrade over Ruiz and Coste?
Marson is for real, I haven’t been this excited about a phils position prospect since Utley…
recently marson has been hitting for a bit more power… and it will continue to come as the year goes on… we arent looking for HR power here, Gap power and a high OBP would make him one excellent catching prospect…. something to keep in mind
As dajafi pointed out, Marson and Martin are very similar prospects. Martin showed a little more power early on, Marson has been better at getting on base. But I wouldn’t be shocked to see Marson end up with 30+ 2B and 15+ HR this season.
If Ruiz had a .400 OBP and .300 BA, we wouldn’t even be talking about Marson.
So, yeah, he’d be an improvement.
Marson would probably hit a few more homers in the “bank” too…
Most impressive for Marson is how he handled the pitching staffs of two winners in a row. A championship with AA Reading would give him a rare trifecta.
Personally I think Ruiz and Coste make for a solid tandem. Ruiz plays hard, with a chip on his shoulder, as if he always has something to prove. He’s better than most people think. And Coste is making the best of his chances.
I see Marson as the eventual starter, but I’m in no huge rush as long as Ruiz and Coste are holding it down. Fall ’09 seems about right.
Meanwhile, Jaramillo is showing signs of emerging from his funk. He should get the call this Fall when the rosters expand to help with the extra pitchers.
It’s MarMania! Lounacy is sweeping the country!
I would have chimed in earlier but I was enjoying a most unusual spectacle, an excellent pitching performance by Adam Eaton.