Anthony Norman?

by KentuckyPirate on Jun 28, 2011 4:57 PM EDT

In the grand scheme of things, I guess it doesn't matter too much. It's probably pretty easy to justify based on a really lopsided K:BB ratio. However, I still can't help but wonder why Starling Marte-the 22 year old rifle armed CF sporting a .331/.361/.472 line in Altoona-is still in AA while Anthony Norman moves up to Indy to take Alex Presley's place.

If I'm just glossing over the unsightly 54:10 K:BB ratio and that is why Marte is stuck then please tell me just so I know I'm not totally losing my mind. Maybe it's just that the organization wants to bring Marte along slowly to avoid a potential Lambo-ian slide at AAA. Whatever it is, Marte has now posted .822, .802, .847 and .833 OPS's over the past 4 years without making any real attempt to improve his BB rate. If the organization really feels like he can't progress without walking more then they need to try and put a plan in action because it doesn't seem like Marte has altered his approach at all. If they think he can succeed in spite of his walk rate (his career MiLB OBP is a reasonable 61 points higher than his BA) then I don't get why he's still in Altoona.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.

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His BB:K rate

is a concern I’m sure, but there’s no reason to rush. Leave him at AA for the rest of the year, AAA next year, and have him break camp in 2013.

In general, the Pirates are conservative about their guys, and also remember Marte is coming off of a broken hamate bone.

Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend

by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jun 28, 2011 5:11 PM EDT reply actions

Agree

Plus, if he goes to AAA this year and would have to start there again next year. What if he dominates AAA? Would there be room for him on the 25 man roster? Tough to tell right now, pending Presley’s impact.

Daniel Pietrusinski

by Dan Pietrusinski on Jun 28, 2011 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions

That is what we call a High Class Problem

by samvescovi on Jun 29, 2011 7:29 AM EDT up reply actions

right...

it’s kind of funny that after 18 years of losing people don’t want to promote players for fear that they may dominate and cause a roster issue. When is the last time a Pirate team had enough players in the system for that thought to even enter into someone’s head?

#AllTheBuntsAreBad!

by Slick1 on Jun 29, 2011 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

So you don't want to promote Marte...

because you think he may dominate and cause a roster problem? There are some good reasons for not promoting Marte but that isn’t one of them. If the kid dominates AAA he’ll have a chance to be an impact player. There is plenty of crap on the roster to get rid of and even if there weren’t you can always make a trade.

#AllTheBuntsAreBad!

by Slick1 on Jun 29, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

The K rate drop looks nice. Makes him look more like a major league starter.

by Adam Reynolds on Jun 28, 2011 5:20 PM EDT reply actions

wow

not via mobile? :-)

by BurgherKing on Jun 28, 2011 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Not too concerned

just cause they move up one guy in favor of another doesn’t mean they think more highly of that guy; sometimes it’s exactly the opposite

"Pitch me outside, I will hit .400. Pitch me inside, and you will not find the ball." - Roberto Clemente

by michaelbro8 on Jun 28, 2011 5:38 PM EDT reply actions

Not many ABs at AA to warrant a move to AAA. His injury last year put him back a year it appears. No need to rush him to AAA, the difference between him getting ABs at Indy or at Altoona seem minimal, as it is more than likely he continues to hit well but walk less. Let him get quality time at AA, start 2012 at AAA, and give him a chance the make the majors then.

We have to unify and watch our flag ascend!

by C Shint on Jun 28, 2011 5:48 PM EDT reply actions

Simple

They want Gorkys in Center, they want Marte in Center…. so you send up filler (Norman)

Bees Bees Everywhere

by VoteforPedro on Jun 28, 2011 5:55 PM EDT reply actions

I don't know...

If they view both players at legitimate enough prospects that they want both to play exclusively in center (although I don’t think they see Hernandez as more than a 4th outfielder), then they will run into the same problem in Pittsburgh when only 1 can play in the middle. It’s possible that neither would play CF if they don’t want to move McCutchen who is the NL’s best defensive CF so far this year.

As I mentioned in the main post, I don’t see it as a huge issue and I’m not overly concerned, I’m just a little annoyed because I feel like Marte has proven everything that he can in Altoona. I think it’s unlikely that he all of a sudden starts walking a ton or launching home runs just as I think it’s unlikely that his batting average goes in the tank (he hasn’t hit under .297 since he was an 18-yr old in the Dominican) so I don’t see how the book on him will change by keeping him in Altoona the rest of the year.

by KentuckyPirate on Jun 29, 2011 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions