(Photograph courtesy of Kevin Pataky/MiLB.com)Starling Marte was named the Eastern League Player of the Month for the month of August. Batting leadoff for the Altoona Curve, Marte hit .393 in 117 ABs. He had a complete dominant offensive performance with a .437 on-base percentage and a .650 slugging percentage in 28 games. Marte led all league players in batting average (.393), runs (28), hits (46), extra base hits (17), total bases (76), slugging percentage (.650), and OPS (1.086) during the month. He added 9 doubles, 3 triples, and 5 home runs in August.
Starling Marte was also recently named Eastern League Rookie of the Year. This recognition comes after he was chosen as an outfielder on the Eastern League All-Star Team and an outfielder for the World Team at MLB Futures Game in Phoenix. To say that Marte had a good season is an understatement. The Dominican Republic native set a new Curve single-season franchise record with his league best 178 hits for the season. Marte also won the league batting title with a .332 average and tied for the lead in doubles with 38. He ranked among the league leaders in runs (91-2nd), total bases (268-2nd), extra base hits (58-4th), triples (8-tied 4th), OPS (.870-5th), slugging percentage (.500-6th), and stolen bases (24-10th). Add all these offensive numbers with his plus center field defense, and you have a top 50 prospect.
Starling Marte has been hitting for average since he has come to the United States, but he has had two major questions surrounding his game. His walk to strikeout ratio and power totals have been those questions. Marte's 2011 extra-base totals, specifically the 12 home runs this year, give me no hesitation to say that he can hit 20 home runs a season at the big league level. To me he has answered the power question. He was never going to be an elite power hitter, but the Pirates have been looking for useful power from Marte. Which he has obviously showed this year.
The critics can still point to the walk to strike out ratio as a major flaw. Starling Marte had a 12/59 ratio in 2010 in Bradenton and followed that up with a 22/100 ratio this year in Altoona. That's pretty bad. No getting around it. These totals are what's holding back Marte from elite prospect status. That being said, those who have seen Marte play will tell you that he is just not a hacker at the plate like Josh Harrison. No, he has actually had a high BABIP for the last three years (.400 in '09, .424 in '10 & .390 in '11). Starling Marte's BABIP is actually lower this year while all the other numbers are up. So should the Pirates wait for this kid, or use him as trade bait this off-season?
That is one of the major question marks facing the front office this winter. Marte is at his highest value so far in his young career. It all depends on who is available in the trade market. The Pirates are in desperate need of middle of the lineup power. If the Pirates can get an established power hitter in his prime, then the Pirates could be willing to create a package centered around Marte. I see there being two factors that can lead to the Pirates trading Marte.
As I already stated, one would be for a proven power hitter. The other factor would be how much the front office believes in Alex Presley. It's no secret that they believe in Andrew McCutchen and Jose Tabata, but who knows with Presley. This is the same front office that took until late June to call Presley up in the first place! It's possible the Pirates believe Marte can be in the same class as McCutchen as a major leaguer, so they may make him untouchable. I tend to think he could be had, because the organization currently has depth in the outfield. Their best positional prospects play in the outfield. Not to mention, the best player in Pittsburgh is already considered one of the best, if not the best center fielder in all of baseball.
What should the Pirates do? I know what I would do. Starling Marte is a great prospect, and I believe that he will be a good player in the major leagues. But if a team would accept a deal of Marte with a couple of pitchers (Not named Taillon or Cole) for an established 30/yr home run hitter with years of control, I would accept it. I am a believer in Presley as a major league average left fielder, and also a believer of Josh Bell as a great hitting prospect. You can never have enough players, so if the Pirates aren't given a fair offer, they should pass.
The Pirates are in no position to give away one of their better talents for fringe major leaguers. If that's the case, I will gladly go see Marte and McCutchen roam the spacious grass at PNC Park for many years. What do you other Pirates fans think?
Ryan Godsey
http://twitter.com/#!/GoodSee24
Starling Marte was also recently named Eastern League Rookie of the Year. This recognition comes after he was chosen as an outfielder on the Eastern League All-Star Team and an outfielder for the World Team at MLB Futures Game in Phoenix. To say that Marte had a good season is an understatement. The Dominican Republic native set a new Curve single-season franchise record with his league best 178 hits for the season. Marte also won the league batting title with a .332 average and tied for the lead in doubles with 38. He ranked among the league leaders in runs (91-2nd), total bases (268-2nd), extra base hits (58-4th), triples (8-tied 4th), OPS (.870-5th), slugging percentage (.500-6th), and stolen bases (24-10th). Add all these offensive numbers with his plus center field defense, and you have a top 50 prospect.
Starling Marte has been hitting for average since he has come to the United States, but he has had two major questions surrounding his game. His walk to strikeout ratio and power totals have been those questions. Marte's 2011 extra-base totals, specifically the 12 home runs this year, give me no hesitation to say that he can hit 20 home runs a season at the big league level. To me he has answered the power question. He was never going to be an elite power hitter, but the Pirates have been looking for useful power from Marte. Which he has obviously showed this year.
The critics can still point to the walk to strike out ratio as a major flaw. Starling Marte had a 12/59 ratio in 2010 in Bradenton and followed that up with a 22/100 ratio this year in Altoona. That's pretty bad. No getting around it. These totals are what's holding back Marte from elite prospect status. That being said, those who have seen Marte play will tell you that he is just not a hacker at the plate like Josh Harrison. No, he has actually had a high BABIP for the last three years (.400 in '09, .424 in '10 & .390 in '11). Starling Marte's BABIP is actually lower this year while all the other numbers are up. So should the Pirates wait for this kid, or use him as trade bait this off-season?
That is one of the major question marks facing the front office this winter. Marte is at his highest value so far in his young career. It all depends on who is available in the trade market. The Pirates are in desperate need of middle of the lineup power. If the Pirates can get an established power hitter in his prime, then the Pirates could be willing to create a package centered around Marte. I see there being two factors that can lead to the Pirates trading Marte.
As I already stated, one would be for a proven power hitter. The other factor would be how much the front office believes in Alex Presley. It's no secret that they believe in Andrew McCutchen and Jose Tabata, but who knows with Presley. This is the same front office that took until late June to call Presley up in the first place! It's possible the Pirates believe Marte can be in the same class as McCutchen as a major leaguer, so they may make him untouchable. I tend to think he could be had, because the organization currently has depth in the outfield. Their best positional prospects play in the outfield. Not to mention, the best player in Pittsburgh is already considered one of the best, if not the best center fielder in all of baseball.
What should the Pirates do? I know what I would do. Starling Marte is a great prospect, and I believe that he will be a good player in the major leagues. But if a team would accept a deal of Marte with a couple of pitchers (Not named Taillon or Cole) for an established 30/yr home run hitter with years of control, I would accept it. I am a believer in Presley as a major league average left fielder, and also a believer of Josh Bell as a great hitting prospect. You can never have enough players, so if the Pirates aren't given a fair offer, they should pass.
The Pirates are in no position to give away one of their better talents for fringe major leaguers. If that's the case, I will gladly go see Marte and McCutchen roam the spacious grass at PNC Park for many years. What do you other Pirates fans think?
Ryan Godsey
http://twitter.com/#!/GoodSee24
I would hate to see the Buccos trade this kid. He profiles as a HUGE upgrade defensively to Cutch. I cringe every time I see Cutch take a bad route on a ball or not get a decent jump off the bat. And his arm is kind of embarrassing while Marte has a rocket. Don't get me wrong, I love Cutch, but the thought of a Cutch (7), Marte (8), Tabata (9) outfield has me drooling.
ReplyDeleteI did read awhile back that Josh Bell is terrible defensively and may project better as a first baseman. Have you heard anything to support/refute that rumor? I mean being a terrible outfielder works for Ryan Braun so who knows. Either way, too many good players for available outfield positions sure is a nice problem to have.
First off, thanks for the read Jazzygeoff66
ReplyDeleteI agree that an outfield of Marte, McCutchen, and Tabata would be outstanding. Although I disagree on your perception of McCutchen's defense. He has actually been a plus center fielder defensively this season. He has had a positive UZR, but I agree that Marte should be better with his plus arm.
I am definitely a believer in Tabata also. Presley is good, but he is at his best right now. Tabata has power upside which I think he will eventually show. As for Josh Bell, I think he will stay in the outfield. He is a better athlete than Garret Jones. Remember, it doesn't take a burner to play rightfield at PNC Park. He could be a first baseman if he grows some more because he already is a big guy, but I wouldn't bet on it.
Again, thanks for your insight. Always enjoy talking to knowledgeable fans.