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'{{short description|American baseball player & coach}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2019}} {{Infobox baseball biography |name=Lou Marson |image=Lou Marson 6-30-12.jpg |caption=Marson playing for the Indians in 2012 |position=[[Catcher]] |birth_date={{birth date and age|1986|6|26}} |birth_place=[[Scottsdale, Arizona]] |bats=Right |throws=Right |debutleague=MLB |debutdate=September 28 |debutyear=2008 |debutteam=Philadelphia Phillies |finalleague=MLB |finaldate=April 24 |finalyear=2013 |finalteam=Cleveland Indians |statleague=MLB |stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]] |stat1value=.219 |stat2label=[[Home run]]s |stat2value=5 |stat3label=[[Run batted in|Runs batted in]] |stat3value=60 |teams= * [[Philadelphia Phillies]] ({{mlby|2008}}–{{mlby|2009}}) * [[Cleveland Indians]] ({{mlby|2009}}–{{mlby|2013}}) }} {{MedalTableTop|name=no}} {{MedalSport | Men's [[baseball]] }} {{MedalCountry | {{USA}} }} {{MedalCompetition | [[Baseball at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]] }} {{MedalBronze | [[Baseball at the 2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing]] | [[United States national baseball team|Team competition]] }} {{MedalBottom}} '''Louis Glenn Marson''' (born June 26, 1986) is an American former [[professional baseball]] [[catcher]], who played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) for the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] and [[Cleveland Indians]], from {{by|2008}} through {{by|2013}}. Marson also played in the [[Baseball at the 2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Summer Olympics]]. He is currently the [[Manager (baseball)|manager]] of the [[Los Angeles Angels]]’ [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] affiliate, the [[Salt Lake Bees]], of the [[Pacific Coast League]]. ==Minor leagues== The [[Philadelphia Phillies]] drafted Marson in the fourth round of the [[2004 Major League Baseball Draft]] out of [[Coronado High School (Scottsdale, Arizona)|Coronado High School]] in [[Scottsdale, Arizona]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?query_type=year_round&year_ID=2004&draft_round=4&draft_type=junreg |title=Amateur Draft: 4th Round of the 2004 June Draft |work=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference LLC |accessdate=April 11, 2009}}</ref> During 2004, he played with the [[Gulf Coast League Phillies]] instructional league team, where he ended the season with a seven-game hitting streak.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=453974&y=2004 |title=Lou Marson: Biography and Career Highlights (2004) |work=Phillies.MLB.com |publisher=Major League Baseball |accessdate=April 11, 2009}}</ref> In 38 games, Marson amassed a total of 29 hits, including three doubles and four home runs, for a [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]] of .257. He also [[Stolen base|stole]] four bases.<ref name="brefminors">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=marson001lou |title=Lou Marson Minor League Statistics |work=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference LLC |accessdate=April 11, 2009}}</ref> During his first full season in the Phillies' system, Marson played with the A-level [[Batavia Muckdogs]]. He played 60 games for the short-season squad, batting .245 with five home runs and three [[Triple (baseball)|triples]].<ref name="brefminors" /> He also drew 27 [[bases on balls]]<ref name="cube">{{cite web |url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/M/Louis-Marson.shtml |title=Louis Marson |publisher=The Baseball Cube |accessdate=April 11, 2009}}</ref> and hit .351 against left-handed pitchers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=453974&y=2005 |title=Lou Marson: Biography and Career Highlights (2005) |work=Phillies.MLB.com |publisher=Major League Baseball |accessdate=April 11, 2009}}</ref> Moving up to the [[South Atlantic League]] for the 2006 season, Marson had a team-leading five triples and four stolen bases, though his average fell to .243.<ref name="brefminors" /> He notched a four-hit game against the [[Hagerstown Suns]], a four-RBI game in August against the [[Delmarva Shorebirds]], and reached base safely in nearly every game in July.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=453974&y=2006 |title=Lou Marson: Biography and Career Highlights (2006) |work=Phillies.MLB.com |publisher=Major League Baseball |accessdate=April 11, 2009}}</ref> Marson had 85 hits in 350 at-bats in 2006 and added 29 walks for a .343 on-base percentage.<ref name="cube" /> Marson made his first appearance at the Phillies' spring training in 2007, after which he was assigned to the high-A [[Clearwater Threshers]]. He led the 2007 Threshers in batting average (.288) among qualifying players, hit 7 home runs and batted in 63 runs.<ref name="2007CLE">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=15178 |title=2007 Clearwater Threshers Statistics |work=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference LLC |accessdate=April 11, 2009}}</ref> He established himself as a solid fielder behind the plate, making only three errors in the final 37 games of the season<ref>{{cite web |url=http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=453974&y=2007 |title=Lou Marson: Biography and Career Highlights (2007) |work=Phillies.MLB.com |publisher=Major League Baseball |accessdate=April 11, 2009}}</ref> and finishing with a fielding percentage of .982 for the season.<ref name="2007CLE" /> After the 2007 season, Marson was recognized as one of the top ten prospects in the Phillies' minor league system by [[Baseball America]].<ref name="BA">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2008/265168.html |title=Philadelphia Phillies: Top 10 Prospects |last=Kline |first=Chris |date=November 13, 2007 |magazine=Baseball America |accessdate=April 12, 2009}}</ref> In 2008, Marson won the [[Philadelphia Phillies annual franchise awards|Paul Owens Award]] as the top minor league player in the Phillies' farm system.<ref name="2008bio">{{cite web |url=http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=453974&y=2008 |title=Lou Marson: Biography and Career Highlights (2008) |work=Phillies.MLB.com |publisher=Major League Baseball |accessdate=April 11, 2009}}</ref> In 94 games behind the plate for the AA [[Reading Phillies]], Marson batted .314 with five home runs and 18 doubles. He also walked 68 times.<ref name="brefminors" /> For his efforts, he was named to both the midseason and post-season [[Eastern League (baseball)|Eastern League]] All-Star teams.<ref name="2008bio" /> He led that league, and all AA-level leagues, in on-base percentage with a .433 mark<ref name="brefminors" /><ref name="top50">{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/minorleagues/prospects/y2009/profile.jsp?t=p_top&pid=453974 |title=Lou Marson Top 50 Prospects Profile |publisher=Major League Baseball |accessdate=April 12, 2009}}</ref> and posted a 14-game hitting streak at the end of May, during which he had a grand slam and six RBI in one game.<ref name="2008bio" /> A converted infielder with a strong arm,<ref name="09ST">{{cite web |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20090309_Young_catcher_Marson_learning_from_the_ropes.html |title=Young catcher Marson learning from the ropes |last=Martino |first=Andy |date=March 9, 2009 |work=Philly.com |publisher=The Philadelphia Inquirer |accessdate=April 12, 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312075115/http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20090309_Young_catcher_Marson_learning_from_the_ropes.html |archivedate=March 12, 2009}}</ref> he allowed 30 baserunners in 83 stolen-base attempts for a steal percentage of 36%.<ref name="brefminors" /> The Phillies purchased Marson's contract at the conclusion of the 2008 Eastern League season, and he was called up to the majors for the post-season stretch run. After the season, the Phillies' farm system director, Steve Noworyta, said that Marson "continues, like fine wine, to get better as he ages."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081113&content_id=3677709&vkey=news_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi |title=Phillies rich in outfield prospects |last=Winston |first=Lisa |date=November 14, 2008 |work=Phillies.MLB.com |publisher=Major League Baseball |accessdate=April 12, 2009}}</ref> His stock as a Baseball America prospect rose from eighth in the system to third,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/235349 |title=A look at the Phillies' future stars |last=Stark |first=Eric G |date=March 22, 2009 |work=LancasterOnline.com |publisher=Sunday News |accessdate=April 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.is/20120731015320/http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/235349 |archive-date=July 31, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and he was named one of the top 50 prospects in Major League Baseball.<ref name="top50" /> Marson and Reading teammate [[Jason Donald (baseball)|Jason Donald]] were selected to the [[United States national baseball team]] for the [[2008 Olympics]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillies_zone/Marson_Donald_Headed_to_the_Olympics.html |title=Marson, Donald Headed to the Olympics |last=Zolecki |first=Todd |date=July 16, 2008 |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |accessdate=April 11, 2009}}</ref> where they won the bronze medal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbssports.com/olympics/story/10944103 |title=U.S. baseball team defeats Japan for bronze medal |date=August 23, 2008 |work=CBSSports.com |publisher=Associated Press |accessdate=April 11, 2009}}</ref> National team manager [[Davey Johnson]] said that "[he] really impressed me during (the Futures Game)… He caught the first three innings. We don't give the signs to the catcher. He told (pitcher) [[Brett Anderson (baseball)|Brett Anderson]] to throw over to first and he picked (a runner off). His numbers are outstanding for a catcher—great offensive catcher—and I got reports that said everything about him is good."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=1365/bio/ |title=Lou Marson Profile & Bio |publisher=NBC Sports |accessdate=April 12, 2009}}</ref> ==Major leagues== ===Philadelphia Phillies=== [[File:5TH 3689 Lou Marson.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Marson playing for the Phillies in 2009]] Marson was called up to the Phillies on September 1, 2008. He had his first major league [[Hit (baseball)|hit]] off of [[Odalis Perez]] on September 28 against the [[Washington Nationals]]. He later scored his first [[Run (baseball)|run]] in the same inning. In the same game, he also hit his first big league [[home run]] off [[Marco Estrada (baseball)|Marco Estrada]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2008/B09280PHI2008.htm |title=Philadelphia Phillies 8, Washington Nationals 3 |publisher=Retrosheet, Inc |accessdate=April 11, 2009}}</ref> This was on the final day of the [[2008 Philadelphia Phillies season]]; though Marson was not included on the [[2008 World Series|World Series]]-winning roster,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2008_WS.shtml |title=2008 World Series – PHI vs. TBR |work=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference LLC |accessdate=April 11, 2009}}</ref> he did travel with the team in case of injuries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kffl.com/player/16037/MLB |title=Lou Marson, C, Philadelphia Phillies |date=October 22, 2008 |publisher=KFFL |accessdate=April 12, 2009}}</ref> He did receive a World Series ring, in spite of all this.<ref>http://philliesphollowers.mlblogs.com/2009/04/09/ring-ceremony-photos-news/</ref> After the end of the post-season, Marson participated in the [[Arizona Fall League]], where he played for the [[Mesa Solar Sox]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/minors/winter-baseball/arizona-fall-league/2008/266760.html |title=Arizona Fall League Rosters |date=August 27, 2008 |magazine=Baseball America |accessdate=April 12, 2009}}</ref> Marson participated in the major league 2009 spring training with the Phillies, where veteran starter [[Jamie Moyer]] expressed his pleasure with Marson's skills and ability to call the game.<ref name="09ST" /> Assistant GM [[Chuck LaMar]] said that "<nowiki>[his]</nowiki> strength has actually become his ability to run the game… That is unique for a converted catcher. We think he's one of the finest catching prospects in baseball." Marson was reassigned to the minor leagues on March 23,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kffl.com/player/16037/MLB |title=Lou Marson, C, Philadelphia Phillies |date=March 23, 2009 |publisher=KFFL |accessdate=April 12, 2009}}</ref> but was called up to the majors on April 11 to replace [[Carlos Ruiz (baseball)|Carlos Ruiz]], who injured his right oblique muscle.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090411&content_id=4224060&vkey=news_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi |title=Phillies place Ruiz on 15-day DL |last=Zolecki |first=Todd |date=April 11, 2009 |work=Phillies.MLB.com |publisher=Major League Baseball |accessdate=April 11, 2009}}</ref> He went 1-for-4 in one game for the [[Lehigh Valley IronPigs]] before his call-up.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Lou%20Marson&pos=C&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=453974 |title=Lou Marson |publisher=Minor League Baseball |accessdate=April 12, 2009}}</ref> ===Cleveland Indians=== On July 29, 2009, the Phillies traded Marson, along with [[Jason Donald (baseball)|Jason Donald]], [[Carlos Carrasco (baseball)|Carlos Carrasco]], and [[Jason Knapp (baseball)|Jason Knapp]] to the [[Cleveland Indians]] for [[Cliff Lee]] and [[Ben Francisco]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://zozone.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/07/lee_francisco_for_four_phillie.html |title=Lee, Francisco for Four Phillies Prospects |website=The Zo Zone |date=July 29, 2009 |accessdate=March 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801090225/http://zozone.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/07/lee_francisco_for_four_phillie.html |archive-date=August 1, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Over the next three seasons, Marson was a fixture behind the plate for Cleveland, playing in over 70 games in each of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 seasons—however, he struggled at the plate, never hitting higher than .230. After a 2013 season in which he only appeared in 3 games at the major league level, Marson was non-tendered by the Indians, becoming a free agent.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Indians/status/407671803448791040 Twitter / Indians: #Indians today did not tender 2014 contracts to the following players: OF Matt Carson, C Lou Marson, RHP Tyler Cloyd. Roster is @ 38 players]</ref> ===Cincinnati Reds=== On December 18, 2013, the Phillies signed Marson to a minor league contract, that included a spring training invitation. He was released on March 14, 2014. Marson signed a minor league deal with the [[Cincinnati Reds]] in May 2014.{{Citation needed|date=March 2019}} ==Coaching career== Marson served as hitting coach of the [[Salt Lake Bees]], the [[Los Angeles Angels]]' Triple-A affiliate, in 2017. The next year, he managed the [[Mobile BayBears]], their Double-A affiliate. In 2019, the Angels named Marson the manager of Salt Lake.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bees, Angels Announce 2019 Field Staff |url=https://www.milb.com/salt-lake/news/bees-angels-announce-2019-field-staff/c-304040406 |website=Salt Lake Bees |publisher=Minor League Baseball (milb.com) |accessdate=February 19, 2019}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{commonscat}} {{Portal|Biography|Baseball}} {{baseballstats|mlb=453974|espn=29241|br=m/marsolo01|fangraphs=7610|brm=marson001lou|retro=M/Pmarsl001}} {{United States baseball roster 2008 Summer Olympics}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Marson, Lou}} [[Category:1986 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Baseball coaches from Arizona]] [[Category:Baseball players from Arizona]] [[Category:Major League Baseball catchers]] [[Category:Sportspeople from Scottsdale, Arizona]] [[Category:Baseball players at the 2008 Summer Olympics]] [[Category:Olympic baseball players of the United States]] [[Category:Olympic bronze medalists for the United States in baseball]] [[Category:Philadelphia Phillies players]] [[Category:Cleveland Indians players]] [[Category:Gulf Coast Phillies players]] [[Category:Batavia Muckdogs players]] [[Category:Lakewood BlueClaws players]] [[Category:Clearwater Threshers players]] [[Category:Reading Phillies players]] [[Category:Lehigh Valley IronPigs players]] [[Category:Columbus Clippers players]] [[Category:Akron Aeros players]] [[Category:Pensacola Blue Wahoos players]] [[Category:All-Star Futures Game players]] [[Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics]] [[Category:Mesa Solar Sox players]] [[Category:Minor league baseball coaches]] [[Category:Minor league baseball managers]]'