San Francisco Giants: Chris Marrero Shows Power Potential in Spring Training

One surprise early on in spring training for the San Francisco Giants has been the emergence of first baseman Chris Marrero.

He’s already gotten 14 at-bats this spring and collected four hits. Two of those hits have gone over the fence, proving that he could be an effect power bat off the bench for the San Francisco Giants.

Marrero was signed by the Giants on November 9 to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.

He was the 15th overall pick in the 2006 draft by the Washington Nationals and was once considered a top 100 prospect by Baseball America. Injuries and lack of production hurt his development; although he did receive some playing time in the  majors for the Nationals in 2011 and 2013.

In 125 major league at-bats he hit .232 with a .256 on-base-percentage and zero home runs.

He was released after the 2013 season and the Baltimore Orioles picked him up. Then he spent the 2015 season in the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox organizations.

He spent all of 2016 with the Red Sox Triple-A affiliate in Pawtucket where he really broke out as a 27 year old. Last season he hit .284 with 23 home runs and a .344 on-base-percentage.

Marrero is not just a first baseman either as he has experience in both corner outfield positions; however, he’s only played first base so far this spring.

I think if he’s going to make this team out of spring training, we need to see him play some outfield as well.

As a right-handed bat he would fit in nicely as a back-up for Jarrett Parker if he indeed becomes the starting left fielder and Mac Williamson is sent back to the minors.

I also think he’ll have to out-play Mike Morse, which is not a problem at this point.

It’s nice to see guys like Marrero who were highly touted early on and fail, to continue working on their craft and keep fighting for that spot in the major leagues. You can’t help but root for those kind of guys.

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Marrero will most likely end up starting the year in Triple-A, but the power potential he’s shown this spring could get him a call up to the big leagues this season.