Diamondbacks’ Arizona Fall League Participant: Evan Marzilli

Evan Marzilli is one of seven players the D’backs will be sending to the Arizona Fall League. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Fall League begins play on October 7th with six teams comprised of various prospects from all organizations in Major League Baseball. The Arizona Diamondbacks will be sending players assigned to the Salt River Rafters. We will spotlight one prospect per day up until play begins. Today’s player is outfielder Evan Marzilli.

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Background: Marzilli was taken in the eighth round by the D’backs in the 2012 Draft. The 6-0, 185 pound outfielder played college ball at the University of South Carolina. As a junior in 2012, Marzilli was named to the College World Series All-Tournament Team. He started every game for the Gamecocks in center field and hit .284, with 51 runs scored, 14 doubles, four triples, two home runs, 32 RBI’s and a team-high 13 stolen bases. SC made it all the way to the Championship Series before losing to Arizona. Marzilli is 23-years old and bats and throws left-handed.

Minor League career: After being drafted, Marzilli immediately went to play for the Missoula Osprey in the Pioneer League. He batted .332 with an on-base percentage of .403 in 211 at-bats. Marzilli spent all of 2013 and 52 games this year with the Visalia Rawhide of the California League. He batted .247 with an OBP of .351 with 35 doubles, seven triples and 21 stolen bases during his time in Visalia. He moved up to Double A Mobile in June of this year and started in center field every day for the BayBears. OBP dropped a little to .328 but he did find a little bit more pop with 12 doubles, six triples and three home runs in 285 at-bats.

Outlook: Marzilli’s work in center field draws rave reviews . He was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team in 21012 and was voted Best Defensive Outfielder while in the California League. Baseball America named him the Best Defensive Outfielder in the D’back organization. In order to make it the Majors, Marzilli has to get on base a little bit more consistently. Batting almost .500 (9 for 19) during Mobile’s Southern League Championship Series defeat was a step in the right direction. He is already listed on Triple A Reno’s roster, giving us an idea of where he will begin 2015.