The Altoona Curve announced their 2011 award winners prior to today’s game. Taking the top honors as the team’s MVP was Starling Marte. Marte came in to the day hitting for a .335 average, and stands a good chance of winning the Eastern League batting title, becoming the first Pirates prospect to do so. He leads the Eastern League in hits and doubles, and ranks in the top five in at-bats, extra base hits, runs scored, and total bases. Marte was also named the Eastern League rookie of the year.
Kyle McPherson was named the pitcher of the year. The 23 year old right hander has been with the team since June, and has a 3.20 ERA in 15 starts. Bryan Morris won the Fireman of the Year award, given to the best relief pitcher. Morris was moved to the bullpen this year, and in 29 games so far has a 2.05 ERA, and a .234 BAA, along with 47 strikeouts in 52.2 innings. Brock Holt took the Iron Man award, hitting for a .286 average and holding down the top of the lineup all year for Altoona. Michael Colla was named the Unsung Hero, leading the Eastern League in WHIP, batting average against, batting average against for a starter, and fewest base runners per nine innings for a starter.
Tim started Pirates Prospects in 2009 from his home in Virginia, which was 40 minutes from where Pedro Alvarez made his pro debut in Lynchburg. That year, the Lynchburg Hillcats won the Carolina League championship, and Pirates Prospects was born from Tim's reporting along the way. The site has grown over the years to include many more writers, and Tim has gone on to become a credentialed MLB reporter, producing Pirates Prospects each year, and will publish his 11th Prospect Guide this offseason. He has also served as the Pittsburgh Pirates correspondent for Baseball America since 2019. Behind the scenes, Tim is an avid music lover, and most of the money he gets paid to run this site goes to vinyl records.
Tim, is Marte going to the AFL this year? Brock Holt and McPherson are already slated for the AFL, correct?
Holt and Grossman are the only ones named so far. Marte will likely play winter ball in the Dominican like he has in the past