The Season That Was: Marco Scutaro

by Tom Dakers on Oct 13, 2009 3:03 PM EDT in Analysis Comment 9 comments

It seems amazing that a year ago we were arguing whether Marco Scutaro could be a full time shortstop, since once a utility player, always a utility player, like there is something in a player's DNA that makes some able to play full time and some able to be utility players. Instead it has more to do with being the needs of a team and the decision of a manager. Anyway, he more than proved that he could be a full time shortstop and was, at least for this season, one of the best in the league and hopefully we won't have to argue about the utility player tag again.

Before the season, as much as we thought he could do the job at short, I wasn't all that thrilled that he might be the leadoff hitter. Boy I was wrong there, we could hardly have done better. He took to the leadoff slot very well, working the count, taking walks and getting on base.

In the 'Community Project' we guessed Scutaro would end up with a .340 OBP and .360 SLG in 600 plate appearances, which with his defense would have a WAR of 3.09. It seemed like we were pretty optimistic. In the real world:

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2009 - Marco Scutaro	144	574	100	162	35	1	12	60	90	75	14	5	.282	.380	.409

So we were low by 40 points on the OBP and 49 points of slugging, and he had 80 more plate appearances that we figured. Fangraphs had him at a 4.4 WAR that would be worth $19.9 million. Marco set career highs in basically every offensive category. His 90 walk was the 8th most ever in a season for a Jay.

Marco hit RHP (.287/.376/.406) as well as he hit LHP (.269/.389/.421). He hit much better on the road (.322/.405/.429) than at home (.242/.353/.389).

His longest hitting streak was 8 games back at the end of May, but he did have a 22 game on base streak.

Batting by Month:

April .281/.421/.506

May .322/.397/.421

June 229/.328/..324

July .355/.413/.527

August .274/.391/.379

Sept/Oct .211/.310/.282

Yeah there was a drop off in September there, I am figuring it has to do with his heel problem. Plantar fasciitis is very painful.

He hit well with RISP (.292/.400/.427). I thought that no one on the team hit well with RISP.

His favorite team to play? The White Sox against whom he hit .458/.533/.625, he also hit very well against the Tigers, Indians, Royals and Orioles. He didn't hit well against the Marlins (.111/.333/.111) but that was in just 3 games. Among teams he played more than 3 games against, he didn't hit well against the Angels (.172/.324/.172) and Rangers (.195/.298/.220).

Fielding? Fangraphs had his UZR at 0.3 around the middle of the pack for shortstops. A big drop from last year's 7.6 at short. I think, again, that the foot troubles cost him a lot of range at the end of the season. I know his numbers were better earlier on. He had 10 errors and a .984 fielding percentage, .002 short of Derek Jeter the league leader in fielding percentage.

It was a terrific season to go into free agency on. I don't how much money he's going to get on his next contract but I'd bet dollars to donuts that what ever he gets he'll be easily worth it. I hope it's with the Jays because I've enjoyed watching him but I could really see the Red Sox taking t a run at him or several other teams. He is fun to watch and looks like he has a good time playing the game. It was great fun when camera's caught him kissing his bat in the dugout or hugging his teammates. He is hard not to like.

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Scoot also gave me my favourite Jays moment of the year

RIP Bodhi - Not tragic to die doing what you love. You want the ultimate thrill, you gotta be willing to pay the ultimate price.

by craig in calgary on Oct 13, 2009 3:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That play was great!

Thanks for that Craig – I think I was so excited during that play that I actually jumped off the couch and gave a shout or tiger woods fist pump or something.

by masterkembo on Oct 13, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah that was as great as when Hill stole home on Pettite 3 years ago, just one of those moments when you cheered out loud off the couch.

Life as a Toronto Sports Fan?... *sigh*... It is what it is...

by JohnnyG on Oct 13, 2009 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Easily the best play of the year, and really showed what a smart player can do. Saw a moment, capitalized on it during a time when virtually anyone else would be sauntering into first and just accepting the walk.

by dexfarkin on Oct 13, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Without a doubt, the most unlikely player to become a major cog for the Jays this year. I’d say the key for Scutaro was the regular playing time. Even when he was scuffling, he was seeing the ball consistantly well, and drawing the walks at the top of the order. I have a feeling that’s going to be the kind of player that he is going forward; a high OBP guy can helps chew up counts, has some versitility, and you can plug into the top of the order when you have to and he won’t hurt you.

As I’ve already said, I do see a big wall waiting for Scutaro in a couple of years, which is why I would love to see him back with the Jays, but only if you’re not on the hook for more than two years on his contract. Maybe three if the contract is front loaded.

by dexfarkin on Oct 13, 2009 4:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hadn’t considered Scoot ending up with the BoSox. Don’t know if I could take having to start hating him like that! Objectively makes a lot of sense though…

by Patrick_M on Oct 13, 2009 10:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Plantar fasciitis

I thought it was a “broken” – plantar or a broken fascitis or WTF.

My sister has plantar fascitis and has had it FOR YEARS and even if you put lipstick from one end of her to the other – she’d still play SS like a pig with lipstick (no offense sis). If Scoots SERIOUSLY wants a long term contract ( 2 -4 years) he’s gonna have to play some winter ball.

IF his foot is buggered – would we gamble and offer him arbitration? IF OTHERS think his foot is buggered we might get him having to accept our arbitration in which case we could sign him for one year. I hope for HIS SAKE he’s OK and can prove it. He’s a great guy and deserves a pay day – I just hope he’s OK and gets the payday from us.

by Mylegacy on Oct 13, 2009 10:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He is a type A free agent as well. So that will scare some teams off as well because they have to give up the first rounders.

Life as a Toronto Sports Fan?... *sigh*... It is what it is...

by JohnnyG on Oct 13, 2009 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do we really want him back?

Don`t get me wrong, I love the year he just put up.. But…

He`s getting up there in age, had a career year, is going to be coming off injury, and will probably be looking either for a large dollar contract, or a lengthy one, if not both…

This is just the kind of deal that screams to stay away from… If he has another great year somewhere else, congrats, but I wouldn`t want his contract as a burden

by Lanky07 on Oct 20, 2009 2:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs