October Farm Report: Marbry’s change of pace
When spring training started, reliever Mike Marbry was hoping to pitch well enough to claim a spot in the Double-A Tulsa bullpen. He knew the odds were against him after missing the second half of the 2010 season at high Class A Modesto due to injury and because of his limited pitching experience.
Not just as a professional but limited, period.
A poor spring snuffed out Marbry’s Tulsa aspirations. He didn’t consistently throw strikes in exhibition games and as spring training was winding down, Marby knew he was destined to return to Modesto.
“I can’t say that I wasn’t disappointed to go back to Modesto,” Marbry said, “just because I’m looking at my age with all the guys that I’m playing with. And I got worried that I was going to get buried.”
Instead, Marbry, who turned 27 in September, emerged at Modesto, pitching his way into late-blooming prospect status. His ascent has been somewhat improbable considering Marbry was not drafted, was released by the Atlanta Braves after a brief stay in Rookie ball as a shortstop and was signed by the Colorado Rockies after one fortuitous phone call followed by one throwing session.
Read the full story about Marrby, along with news about Will Swanner, Albert Campos, Peter Tago and the likely upgrade of the 2012 Colorado Springs Sky Sox pitching staff in the October Farm Report, available now for those who have donated to ITR for 2011.
