Surviving The SAL
Continued from Page One

Versatility Not Visiblilty

Marco Yepezis a versatile switch-hitting infielder that prefers to play shortstop. 

"It's not a problem that they move me around," says Yepez, who notes the cornerstone of a good career is “to be consistent, trying to play well everyday, and avoiding slumps.”

He originally signed with Florida in 1998 after paying his dues for three years in the VSL.  In 2002, he made his debut in the United States, playing in the Gulf Coast League.  The Expos took Yepez in the Rule V Draft, assigning him to Savannah for the 2003 season. Yepez was mired in a second-half slump in 2003.

"I think if Yepez is going to make it to the big leagues, he is going to be player who can play all three [infield] positions," observes Cora.

Like Piñango, Yepez has extensive winter ball experience in Venezuela.  "He does many things, due to his experience, that other young players don't recognize, they don't react. But Yepez does them," says Cora.

Yepez started the 2004 with the Brevard County Manatees. Inserted into just 16 games, this every day player ended up batting only .226, sending him back to the SAL, where he played on a regular basis at all four infield spots, and even played a few games in the outfield.

Breaking Free of the SAL

Asheville Tourists shortstop Oscar Materano hopes to continue the tradition of great Venezuelan shortstops.

Materano idolizes Omar Vizquel, and has developed an admiration for Dave Concepcion, both of whom are 6' 1”, taller than many diminutive Venezuelan shortstops. 

"They say that I play the way David Concepcion played.  It must be because of my size," says Materano.

Materano signed with Colorado in 1998, the only professional baseball player to come from the small city of Valera in the Andes Mountains, a town better known for its soccer than for baseball. 

"No one believes where I come from," claims Materano.

"We're dealing with a guy who has very good physical tools. He has no major weaknesses except that he is inconsistent like a lot of young players,” says Colorado minor league director Bill Geivett.

That inconsistency was evident in 2003.  Materano hit well early in the season, but cooled off considerably later in the year.  A right elbow sprain eventually landed the shortstop on the disabled list in August.  He finished the year batting .251-4-30.

Continued...

 

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