Lou Marson

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #11 prospect in 2010
  Marson made his major league debut with the Phillies in the final game of the 2008 season, then spent most of April 2009 with the big league club. He went down to Triple-A in May, missed a week in June with a bruised foot, then went to Cleveland just before the trading deadline in the Cliff Lee trade. Marson doesn't have a plus tool, but he's an instinctive player with above-average control of the strike zone and a solid feel for hitting. He has limited power, as his swing isn't conducive to loft and he still needs to add strength. A below-average runner, Marson is an athletic, solid defender who receives well and gets rid of the ball quickly to make up for fringe-average arm strength. He threw out 32 percent of basestealers last year. It's only a matter of time before Carlos Santana takes over as the Indians' catcher, but his offseason hamate injury means Marson should get a chance to open 2010 as Cleveland's starter. Future projections for him range from a quality backup to an average regular.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #3 prospect in 2009
  Marson had a breakthrough 2008 season in Double-A and was scheduled to report to the Arizona Fall League, but instead he got a September callup. He made his major league debut in Game 162 by homering off Marco Estrada and throwing out a basestealer. He stuck around Philadelphia as an extra bullpen catcher and possible emergency roster replacement during the playoffs instead of going to the AFL. Marson is the Phillies' most polished minor league hitter, with the system's best plate discipline and a professional approach. He doesn't project to hit for plus power but is learning which balls he can pull with authority. He has used his athletic ability to improve quickly defensively, becoming a solid-average receiver and good leader for a pitching staff. Most big league catchers have better arms than Marson, whose grades out as fringe average. He compensates with accuracy and quick transfers, and he threw out 37 percent of basesteales last season, but he can't afford to lose any arm strength. He needs work calling games and setting up hitters. Phillies starter Carlos Ruiz is a capable defender, but so is Marson, who brings much more to the table offensively. Once he's ready in terms of game-calling and other nuances of catching, Marson will become the regular in Philadelphia, perhaps as soon as the second half of 2009.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #8 prospect in 2008
  Marson had dreams of playing quarterback in college until he broke his collarbone as a high school senior. He struggled for most of his first three years in pro ball, not hitting for average or power and showing just average defensive tools. Diligence and hard work paid off for him in 2007, when he broke through with the bat and was part of a second straight Class A championship. Marson has an easily repeatable stroke that produces line drives to all fields. In 2007, he shortened his swing and developed a much more consistent two-strike approach. Defensively, Marson's game-calling and receiving skills are above-average. His arm grades as average to slightly above, and he ranked third in the high Class A Florida State League by throwing out 36 percent of basestealers. His arm action sometimes can get long, as he'll lead with his elbow--likely the result of his days as a high school quarterback. He'll be an everyday catcher in Double-A in 2008 and could move up to Triple-A if Jason Jaramillo claims a big league role. The Phillies suddenly have several options behind the plate, so there's no reason to push Marson.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #19 prospect in 2007
  A two-sport star in high school, Marson broke his collarbone just three games into his senior year and saw his dream of playing quarterback in college diminish significantly. With football behind him and despite three unexceptional years in the organization offensively, the Phillies feel Marson is headed in the right direction as one of the best catchers in the system. Marson handled the best pitching staff in the organization by far at Lakewood, and his receiving skills, game-calling and blocking abilities all blossomed in 2006. Marson hasn't concentrated on his approach as a hitter nearly as much as he's tried to become better defensively, and he'll need to balance out his game as he moves forward. His swing can become very long at times, and breaking balls give him fits. Marson is slated to move to high Class A, but Double-A isn't being ruled out simply because of how much he's grown defensively.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #23 prospect in 2006
  A broken collarbone three games into his senior season crushed Marson's shot at playing quarterback in college, but the Phillies liked his package of size, strength and power enough to offer a $265,000 bonus. Despite his pedestrian production in his first two seasons in the system, he has impressed the player-development staff. An infielder and outfielder in high school, Marson has taken to catching quickly. Philadelphia believes he can become an intelligent, dependable receiver with an above-average arm and solid power. He must improve his patience and handling of breaking balls as a hitter. Marson started strong at Batavia, but slowed down over the second half, so he'll need to work on the conditioning needed from an everyday catcher this season in low Class A. His ceiling might be the highest of any catcher in the system, but he's not as sure a bet as Jason Jaramillo.
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  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #27 prospect in 2005
  Marson rated as a top high school quarterback recruit until he broke his collarbone three games into his senior season. He was healthy enough to play baseball in the spring, and he boosted his stock by homering five times, including once off potential 2005 first-rounder Ike Davis of Chaparral High, a team that included fellow Phillies prospect Curt Miaso. Marson's impressive pro debut and subsequent instructional league play led the Phillies to call him the surprise of their draft. His athleticism, strength, makeup and tools give him the ability to develop into a frontline catcher. Marson shows a plus arm with good hands and feet. His blocking and game-calling should improve with experience. His plus power potential offers the chance for 20-plus home runs if he can learn to use his lower half better, and his approach could lead to a solid average in the .270 area. He's ticketed for Batavia in 2005.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Eastern League #14 prospect in 2008
  Marson and Reading teammate Jason Donald were two of the dozen position players who played for USA Baseball's bronze-medal Olympic team. Donald's tools are solid and he's a prospect in his own right, but most scouts see him as best-suited for a utility role. They project Marson as an everyday player thanks to his athleticism, offensive ability and defensive skills behind the plate. His biggest asset is his bat. Marson has gap power, excellent strike-zone judgment (he led the EL with a .433 on-base percentage) and a feel for hitting. The biggest issue for Marson is his arm strength, which is fringy at best. He compensates for it with a quick release and accuracy, and threw out 36 percent of EL basestealers. He's a capable receiver and an intelligent player who keeps getting better at handling pitchers and running a staff. "He's just a very solid player with a very solid approach to the game," Akron manager Mike Sarbaugh said. "He catches a good game and he can hit."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #66 prospect in 2009

• December, 2009 Scouting Report
  Marson made his major league debut with the Phillies in the final game of the 2008 season, then spent most of April 2009 with the big league club. He went down to Triple-A in May, missed a week in June with a bruised foot, then went to Cleveland just before the trading deadline in the Cliff Lee trade. Marson doesn't have a plus tool, but he's an instinctive player with above-average control of the strike zone and a solid feel for hitting. He has limited power, as his swing isn't conducive to loft and he still needs to add strength. A below-average runner, Marson is an athletic, solid defender who receives well and gets rid of the ball quickly to make up for fringe-average arm strength. He threw out 32 percent of basestealers last year. It's only a matter of time before Carlos Santana takes over as the Indians' catcher, but his offseason hamate injury means Marson should get a chance to open 2010 as Cleveland's starter. Future projections for him range from a quality backup to an average regular.