Red Sox non-prospect watch: Chris Marrero

The Red Sox have a former first round draft pick playing in Pawtucket and leading the IL in home runs. At 27-years-old has Chris Marrero finally surfaced?

The Red Sox are no different than their brethren in the collective known as Major League Baseball in that they are always souring for roster filler that can be stashed at Pawtucket. Already this season we have seen Sean O’Sullivan surface for two starts and others are currently serving duty with the PawSox waiting for a call if the MLB roster gets depleted.

A first round pick is something special and is generally given an extraordinary amount of time to develop. A performance – or string of them – that would send a lower round prospect packing – are classified as just steps in development. The translation is that baseball ops are rubbing prayer beads hoping Mr. Number One “gets it” since jobs may be on the line. Patience is an attribute for a blue chip prospect – at least for the farm director.

Chris Marrero – cousin of Deven Marrero – was a first round pick by the Washington Nationals in 2006 – a number 15 selection and all the attributes that go with it, including a substantial bonus. Marrero had the projected tools for being a formidable right-handed power bat who could play corner outfields positions and first base. Then it fell apart.

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The Nationals kept Marrero for eight years and two brief appearances with the big club with a forgettable slash of .232/.339/.500 with no home runs and just 11 RBI in 133 plate appearance and then Marrero was given the merry-go-round treatment. Released by the Nationals and then to Baltimore, the Chicago White Sox and finally Boston and Pawtucket. For those who would classify this as failure, leave me out – the kid made it to the bigs – but if you go disappointment, I am sure even Marrero would probably agree.

With the 2015 hitting deprived PawSox, the contribution by Marrero was minimal with only three home runs, eight RBI, and a .239 batting average in 22 games. The now 27-year-old went to spring training for Boston and eventually was sent to minor league camp.

This season Marrero has suddenly prospered with a respectable slash of .293/.346/.544 to go with nine home runs and 24 RBI in 147 at-bats. Most notable is the low strikeout total that stands at 28. Even the more exotic metrics for which I require a tutorial have blossomed – ISO is .238, BABIP .315 and the ever confounding RC/27 is 6.9. The disappointment is a RISP of .219.

Marrero is splitting time between first base and left field for the PawSox and defensively is no slouch, but no exceptional glove man and a player with very limited speed. Marrero just makes the basic plays and the smart throws one would expect from a player who has been in 993 minor league games and another 107 in winter leagues.

Marrero’s nine home runs sits him atop the leader board in the International League with several other players. Marrero is also tied for total bases, is third in OPS and third in slugging. The strikeout total is relatively low as is the BB total with 13, but Marrero has done what has long been expected and that is hit for power.

Can Marrero help?

Next: Electrifying Jackie Bradley realizing enormous potential

Sometimes it takes a player years to develop. Just think Jackie Bradley, or go old school with Dazzy Vance, but sometimes the wait is worth it. Marrero is proving himself to be a reliable bat in Triple-A, and while that is certainly not MLB, injuries do happen and Marrero just may end up contributing to Boston or another team.

Sources: Baseball-reference.
Statistics through 5/24.