BlueClaws Quotables: Emmanuel Marrero talks about early success

Marrero, image- Jay Floyd

Lakewood infielder Emmanuel Marrero was named Phillies minor league player of the week for the period ending May 8th. The 22-year-old Puerto Rico native wrapped up the week with three straight multi-hit games and went 12-for-24 (.500 avg) with three doubles and four RBI in six games last week for Class A Lakewood.

Recently, I spoke with the switch-hitter about his success at the top of the order that has him batting .327 overall in 27 contests for the BlueClaws.

-Marrero offered his thoughts on being successful at the plate...

It's working early. I've been getting good pitches to hit and it's been fun, you know?

-Speaking on what has contributed to the increased production (batted .182 at the same level last season)...

Yes, I work a lot with (hitting coach Nelson) Prada on hitting line drives and staying in the game.

-Commenting on if anyone else has been of considerable help with the improvements he has made...

I played winter ball in Puerto Rico and I worked with the hitting coach over there. We worked a lot every day. And I keep working here on the same things I worked on in Puerto Rico.

-Talking about what player he looked up to most and wanted to emulate as a youngster...

Roberto Alomar, because he's a switch hitter like me and he's from Puerto Rico. He played infield too. I saw him play on TV, but I never saw him play in real life.

-Remarks about playing in New Jersey...

It's cold here, but we have to play through it. I like it here. I like the fans. They're always in the games and we play very hard for them here.

More to read (click the links):

On PhilliesNation.com this week, I reviewed Marrero, along with other prospects like Tommy Joseph, Dylan Cozens and more when taking a look at the Phillies' minor league hot list.

Last week I published quotes from Lakewood manager Shawn Williams discussing Marrero's success along with others.

Comments

Lidge Shaky, T-Mac Honored in Trenton

TRENTON, NJ- Brad Lidge made his second rehab appearance for the Double A Reading Phillies on Thursday night and it didn't go as well as the veteran reliever or the team had hoped. Lidge struggled with his command and turned in a rather poor outing for the club that entered the night in a playoff race, 1 game behind division rival Trenton for the Wild Card spot in the Eastern Division. On the disabled list since spring training with a strained right rotator cuff, Lidge experienced an elbow strain when he was working back from that issue in late May. In his outing against the Yankees affiliate in Trenton, Lidge displayed difficulty with his control as he threw three wild pitches, hit two batters, walked another and gave up a single, all while letting up two earned runs on 28 pitches in 2/3 of an inning. After the disappointing performance, Lidge was composed and focused on some positive aspects, having reached 89 and 90 MPH on scouts' radar guns, according to some reports. ...

Jason Knapp Q&A

PhoulBallz .com was fortunate enough to meet with Phillies prospect Jason Knapp just one day after he caught the attention of the baseball world with his 7 shut out innings, 14 strike out performance against the Indians' Lake County team. - I asked Jason, the Lakewood BlueClaw , for some thoughts about his big game... I had pretty good command of three pitches (fastball, curve, change up). I was on the same page with my catcher, D'Arnaud , and I ended up, ya know, I felt pretty good. - In a great performance like that, how much credit goes to Travis D'Arnaud , the catcher? More than you might expect, definitely. I didn't shake him off once. He told me what to throw and I do what I'm told. And if it works out, a lot of the credit goes to the catcher. - Does the lack of run support (Lakewood has scored 3 total runs in his 3 starts), in your few starts, increase your stress level, or enhance your focus? No, I just try to go out and do my job every outing. Ya know, we...

Eric B Needs to be Cut (and My Name is Rakim)

While the Phillies are on a hot streak this month, one player on the team is not. Eric Bruntlett is 1-for-12 in July. Since the start of May, Bruntlett's apex in batting average has been .167 on June 14th. Bruntlett's ineptitude can be tolerated no longer. Get rid of this guy NOW! Eric B. is the 2009 Endy Chavez. Remember Endy...the guy who in 2005 managed just 2 hits in his final 42 games played as a Phillie? That is about the sort of output the Phillies are getting from Bruntlett, and it's time to fix this void. Julio Lugo was designated for assignment last week by the Red Sox and is expected to become a free agent. The Metropolitans are rumored to be interested. Why wouldn't the Phillies be interested in a guy who could surely outhit Bruntlett? Lugo was hitting .284 through 37 games played this season with Boston. Suspended Lehigh Valley IronPig Pablo Ozuna is eligible to return next Wednesday. Ozuna is batting .294 through 51 games at triple A. Miguel Cairo is also...

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog