NCCU Baseball Alum Troy Marrow Named MLB Diversity Fellow

Troy Marrow

By JONATHAN DUREN


NEW YORK – North Carolina Central University baseball alumnus Troy Marrow is moving up to the major leagues as a member of the Major League Baseball (MLB) Diversity Fellowship Program, the commissioner’s office announced.

Marrow is part of the 22-member inaugural class of the program, and will work with the San Francisco Giants. The Fellows were placed at the Commissioner’s office or one of 18 MLB Clubs in front office positions that have been traditionally influential in baseball operations decisions. The 22 Fellows represent communities across the United States as well as two foreign countries (the Dominican Republic and Venezuela). The Fellows were students at Ivy League schools, Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) and other prominent institutions of higher learning.

For Marrow, the news of the internship came as a big surprise.

“My initial reaction was almost a disbelief, kind of like a dream,” Marrow said. “I had just gotten back to my house when I got the call, and I was so nervous. After the call ended I cried for like two minutes because I felt a weight was finally lifted off of my shoulders.”

“This is another tremendous opportunity Troy has earned through his hard work,” NCCU baseball head coach Jim Koerner said of Marrow. “As he continues to advance his career in baseball, everyone will see him do more great things.”

Marrow was a four-year player for NCCU and he ranks third all-time at NCCU as he started all 174 games that he appeared in, mainly at third base. He batted .269 over his career with 103 RBI, and he sits atop the leaderboard with 105 career runs scored. He had his best year in 2012 when he batted .313 with 44 RBI during his sophomore season. His senior campaign was cut short by a knee injury, and it was then that Marrow thought about how he could make an impact in baseball off the field, and that’s what he hopes to do during the fellowship.

“I hope to gain experience in different departments within baseball operations,” said Marrow. “Everything from player development, contract negotiations, scouting – both professional and amateur – and advanced analytics.

“Several months after tearing my ACL during my senior year I realized that I needed to pursue my passion of baseball in a different way, and I think I found that passion. The most fascinating part of professional baseball is how you build a championship roster of just 25 guys. It’s like a puzzle piece that can take months to years to figure out, but once you figure it out you become a champion.”

Selected individuals for the Club Fellowship will participate in a program that consists of at least 18 months of employment. Fellowships in the Office of the Commissioner in New York City include a minimum three-year commitment for a rotational-based opportunity in three different phases – (1) one year of International Operations; (2) one year of Umpiring and On-field Rules & Regulations; and (3) one year within League Economics. The majority of the Fellows will begin their respective terms in May and June 2018.

"Major League Baseball is so pleased to welcome these 22 young men and women into our Baseball Family," said Renée Tirado, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Major League Baseball. "Our Fellowship Program has already accomplished its primary function to secure young, career-focused talent who diversify our front office ranks and also come with a wide array of experiences and backgrounds. The Commissioner's Office and our Clubs will now look to mentor and guide these individuals to what we hope are long, prosperous careers in baseball. We are looking forward to their many great contributions to our sport."