 Sam was a graduate from Jesuit High School (FL) and was drafted as the 24th overall pick in the annual MLB First Player Draft in 1996, by the Texas Rangers.At the conclusion of the '99 season with the Rangers, Sam was traded to the New York Yankees in a trade deal with Brandon Knight for outfielder Chad Curtis.On July 8, 2004, after his sixth year in the Yankees organization, Marsonek was called up to the majors.