Christian Marrero Stats & Scouting Report

AB	4201
AVG	.278
OBP	.372
SLG	.439
HR	118

Full name Christian Marrero
Born 07/30/1986 in Miami, FL
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 185 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Broward College
Drafted in the 22nd round (665th overall) by the Chicago White Sox in 2005.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

When Marrero arrived at Birmingham last June, he hit at the bottom of the order, but he migrated up to the No. 3 spot by the time the playoffs rolled around. He ended the season hitting .308/.348/.501 between Winston- Salem and Birmingham. The brother of former Nationals first-round pick Chris Marrero, Christian isn't a toolsy guy with a huge ceiling, but he has hit well to get close to big league consideration. Marrero generates excellent bat speed despite having an uppercut swing. He catches up to all but the very best fastballs and stays back on breaking pitches. He uses the entire field and holds his own against lefties. Marrero has solid knowledge of the strike zone but doesn't walk often. He has split time between the outfield and first base as a pro and is considered only adequate in both places. He played right field in Double-A, picking up eight outfield assists with his strong arm, but could wind up moving to left field as he advances. His range and speed are fringy. The ability to play first base and the outfield should eventually make it easier for Marrero to make a big league roster, and his passion for baseball could keep him there for years as a role player.
A draft-and-follow from the 2005 draft, Marrero is the older brother of Nationals No. 1 prospect Chris Marrero. Christian's offensive ceiling isn't as high as his brother's but he shares the same understanding of the art of hitting, which showed when he repeated the Rookie-level Pioneer League. League managers praised his smooth stroke, the result of his work with White Sox coaches. The ball seemed to jump off his bat last season. Marrero is a disciplined hitter, seldom getting himself out on bad pitches. He has gap power and could develop into a true power hitter as he matures. He has few outstanding tools other than his bat, however. His arm is excellent but he doesn't run well enough or cover enough ground in the outfield. He played most of 2007 at first base, his likely home in the future. Club officials praise his love for the game. Marrero probably will open 2008 in low Class A and could earn a swift promotion if he continues to hit like he did last season.

Minor League Top Prospects

If the name looks familiar, it's because Marrero's younger brother Chris was a first-round pick in 2006, the same year Christian signed as a draft-and-follow. Chris is one of the game's best young outfield prospects, while Christian started to come into his own in his second year in the Pioneer League. The White Sox smoothed out Marrero's swing after he hit .252/.337/.360 for Great Falls last year, and this season his batting average and power spiked. His stroke is more fluid and line drives jump off the barrel of his bat. A converted outfielder, he also looks comfortable at first base.