The Pittsburgh Pirates today named outfielder Josh Bell their Minor League Player-of-the-Year and Tyler Glasnow the Minor League Pitcher-of-the-Year. The announcement was made by Larry Broadway, Pirates’ Director of Minor League Operations.
Bell hit a combined .325 (138-for-425) with 22 doubles, four triples, nine home runs, 60 RBI and a .459 slugging percentage between Single-A Bradenton and Double-A Altoona this season. He was named to both the Florida State League’s mid- and post-season All-Star teams while also representing the Pirates organization at the All-Star Futures Game in Minnesota. Bell also took home Florida State League Player-of-the-Year honors after leading the league with a .335 batting average and .502 slugging percentage.
With the logjam in the outfield, Bell has taken reps at first base, a position that could move him up the ranks quicker if he can get the position down.
“Being able to play multiple positions is definately going to help me in the long run,” said Bell. “You look at a Brock Holt or a J-Hay, it’s not going to hurt, so next year I plan on being a first basemen as well as an outfielder and we’ll see where it goes.”
Glasnow is taking home organizational pitcher-of-the-year honors for the second straight year after posting a Florida State League-leading 1.74 ERA. Glasnow was named to the Florida State League’s post-season All-Star team while capping off the year by being named the league’s Pitcher-of-the-Year.
In addition to leading the league in ERA, Glasnow also finished second in the Florida State League in strikeouts (157) and tied for third in wins (12). After making his season debut on April 25, Glasnow’s 157 strikeouts led all of minor league baseball, which included double digit strikeout totals in five of his 23 starts. He also ended the season winning five straight and eight of his last nine decisions.
It’s numbers that have been consistent with his success of last year which is a very encouraging sign.
“Just going out every fifth day. Just having the experience every start honestly just comes with time,” said Glasnow. “I think I’m a lot better pitcher than last year and I can just contribute that to 23 more starts under my belt, so I just hope to continue to progress. I just continue to learn with every start and just continue to not put too much pressure on myself.”
Both players were recognized on the field at PNC Park prior to Tuesday night’s game against the Red Sox.
Information provided by the Pittsburgh Pirates media relations dept.
(Photo Credit: milb.com)
