James Marvel, Mason Martin receive Pirates' top minor-league honors

James Marvel, who has made two starts for the Pittsburgh Pirates in September, and first baseman Mason Martin were named the franchise’s minor-league pitcher and player of the year.

Marvel, a 36^th-round draft choice in 2015, recorded a minor-league high 16 victories, the most by Pirates farmhand since Austin Coley won 16 games in 2015.

After compiling a 9-5 record at Double-A Altoona, Marvel, 26, was promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis where he compiled a 2.67 ERA and 1.12 WHIP.

”James’ preparation is off the charts,” said Larry Broadway, the Pirates’ senior director of minor-league operations. “His attention to detail in how he goes about the four days in between his starts are really what separates him from the rest and what allows him to execute at the level that he does.

“He is a model for what preparation and execution looks like. He truly earned this honor and the opportunity to pitch in Pittsburgh.”

In his two starts with the Pirates on Sept. 8 and 14, he struggled in losses to the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs, allowing nine runs and 13 hits in nine innings.

Martin, 20, was a 17^th-round draft choice in 2017. He led minor-league baseball with 129 RBIs and was tied for seventh with 35 home runs. Those numbers were the most by a Pirates minor-leaguer in 15 years.

He split his time between Single-A Greensboro and High-A Bradenton.

“We couldn’t be more proud of the year that Mason had this year,” Broadway said. “He put in a ton of work in the off-season to prepare for this year, and his daily commitment to preparing, learning and growing throughout the season really allowed him to perform at the level he did all year.”