Yesterday, we named the Pirates Prospects Player of the Month and the Pitcher of the Month for August/September. Barrett Barnes was named the Player of the Month for the second straight month, becoming the first player to accomplish that in the four years we have picked the best each month. Mitch Keller was named the Pitcher of the Month, capping off a very impressive season. Both players got more recognition on Wednesday morning, as Barnes was named the Eastern League Player of the Month and Keller was chosen for Baseball America’s Minor League All-Star team.
Barnes was named the Eastern League Player of the Week twice last month. He hit .360/.434/.709 in 26 games during the month of August. On the season, he hit .306/.377/.477 in 124 games, which is 29 more games than he has played in any other season since being drafted in 2012. Barnes and Altoona begin their playoff run tonight at home against Akron.
Keller had an incredible season in which he kept getting better all year. He finished the regular season with a 2.35 ERA in 130.1 innings, with 138 strikeouts, a .212 BAA, and an 0.92 WHIP, as well as just 19 walks all season. In his playoff start last night for Bradenton, he faltered a little with three runs on five hits and three walks in 5.1 innings, but he also hit 99 MPH and picked up eight strikeouts.
