PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – In the next couple of days the Pirates are going to name their minor league players of the year. Here is a look at the stats of some of the candidates in the bigger categories. Many of these players you are likely to see in the next few years.
Willie Stargell Slugger of the Year
Oneil Cruz-Left-AA & a little AAA (.310/16-2B/17-HR/47-RBI/.594 SL/68g)
*called up to MLB at end of season, hit 1st HR, played in only 62g due to injury
Mason Martin-Left-AA & AAA (.241/29-2B/25-HR/81-RBI/.487 SL)
*mostly at AA, but hit 3 HR in AAA in 8g, hit 60-HR in last 2 full seasons
Matt Fraizer-Left (.306/26-2B/23-HR/68-RBI/.388 OBP/.552 SL)
*23-year-old in 1st full pro season, 6’3” outfielder, 3rd round pick in ’19 from Arz.
Jared Triolo-Right-High A (.304/29-2B/15-HR/78-RBI/.369 OBP/.480 SL)
*6’3”, 2nd round pick in 2019 out of Houston, 6’3” INF
Nick Gonzales-Right-High A (.302/23-2B/18-HR/54-RBI/.565 SL)
*2020 1st round pick, played in only 80 games, had 2g total w 5-HR & 15 RBI
Endy Rodriguez-Switch-Low A (.294/25-2B/15-HR/73-RBI/.380 OBP/.512 SL)
*21-year-old from Mets in Musgrove trade, Catcher/1B/LF/DH
Kent Tekulve Reliever of the Year
Hunter Stratton-R-AA-AAA (2-2, 2.39 ERA, 7 SV, 49-IP, 25-BB, 70-K, 1.27 WHIP)
*24-year-old was 7 for 8 in save chances in AA, allowed only 3 HR
Will Kobos-R-High A (6-2, 2.16 ERA, 5 SV, 41.2-IP, 23-BB, 65-K, 1.01 WHIP)
*24-year-old 19th round pick in 2018, opponents hit .129 against him
Austin Roberts-High A & 1 g at AAA (4-3, 4.46 ERA, 9 SV, 66.2-IP, 25-BB, 103-K)
*23-year-old 8th round pick in 2019, allowed 4 HR, 39 games in relief
Emmanuel Mejia-R-Low & High A (5-2, 0.42 ERA, 9 SV, 42.2-IP, 27-BB, 53-K)
*no earned runs allowed at Bradenton in 21 games-26.1 innings, allowed 2 HR
Omar Moreno Baserunner of the Year
Ji-hwan Bae-AA (83g, 20 steals, 8-CS)
*22-year-old lefty-hitting shortstop, hit .281 overall w .360 OBP
Oneil Cruz AA-AAA (62g-19 steals, 3-CS)
*6’7”, 23-year-old hit .310 on the season with a .375 OBP
Lolo Sanchez-High A (104g, 30 steals, 9-CS)
*22-year-old OF hit .264 with .372 OBP, 111 career steals in minors
Liover Peguero-High A (90g, 28 steals, 6-CS)
*right-hand hitter came in Marte trade, hit .270 w .332 OBP, 20-years-old INF
Jared Triolo-High A (108g, 25 steals, 6-CB)
*23-year-old hit .304 with .369 ERA, 44 extra-base hits
Bob Friend Pitcher of the Year
Roansy Contrares-R-AA/AAA (3-2, 2.64 ERA, 13 starts, 58-IP, 13-BB, 82-K, 0.93 WHIP)—got MLB start at end of year, at AA struck out 76-walked 12, Taillon trade
Quinn Priester-R-High A (7-4, 3.04 ERA, 20 starts, 97.2-IP, 39-BB, 98-K, 1.24 WHIP)
*2019 1st round pick, 21-years-old, had 2.65 ERA before struggling in last start
Will Kobos-R-High A (6-2, 2.16 ERA, 27g, 41.2 IP, 23-BB, 65-K, 1.01 WHIP)
*24-year-old 19th round pick in 2018, no starts, no earned runs in June & August
Adrian Florencio-R-High A (6-4, 2.46 ERA, 19 starts, 95-IP, 30-BB, 117-K)
*6’6”, 23-year-old, allowed just 5 home runs, 1.05 WHIP, opponents hit .198
Logan Hofmann-L-Low A (6-4, 3.59 ERA, 22g/13 starts, 82.2-IP, 33-BB, 103-K)
*21-year-old 5th round pick in 2020, .196 batting average against
Honus Wagner Player of the Year
Oneil Cruz-Left-AA & AAA (.310/16-2B/17-HR/47-RBI/.594 SL/19-SB)
*called up to MLB at end of season & hit 1st HR, played in only 62g due to injury
Matt Fraizer-Left (.306/26-2B/23-HR/68-RBI/.388 OBP/.552 SL)
*23-year-old in 1st full pro season, 6’3” outfielder, 3rd round pick in ’19 from Arz.
Roansy Contrares-R-AA/AAA (3-2, 2.64 ERA, 13 starts, 58-IP, 13-BB, 82-K, 0.93 WHIP)—got MLB start at end of year, at AA struck out 76-walked 12, Taillon trade
Nick Gonzales-Right-High A (.302/23-2B/18-HR/54-RBI/.565 SL
*2020 1st round pick, played in only 80 games, had 2g w 5-HR & 15 RBI total