Pirates name Max Moroff Minor League Player-of-the-Year and Yeudy Garcia Minor League Pitcher-of-the-Year

The Pittsburgh Pirates today named infielder Max Moroff their Minor League Player-of-the-Year and Yeudy Garcia the Minor League Pitcher-of-the-Year. The announcement was made by Larry Broadway, Pirates' Director of Minor League Operations.

Moroff hit .293 with 28 doubles, six triples, seven home runs, 51 RBI, 17 stolen bases, 79 runs scored and a .322 on-base percentage for Double-A Altoona, who went 74-68 while returning to the post-season in 2015. Moroff was named to the Eastern League mid- and post-season All-Star teams while leading the league in runs scored and games played (136) while also ranking second in hits, third in walks (70) and fourth in total bases (214). He also set a Curve record with 153 hits as a switch hitter. In the field, Moroff led all Eastern League second basemen in fielding percentage (.978), double plays (76) and assists (330).

"Max had a great year for Altoona and was a big part of the club's postseason berth this year," said Broadway. "His consistency in both production on both sides of the ball, and his ability to post every day are what earned this award for him."

Garcia earned organizational pitcher-of-the-year honors after going 12-5 with one save, a 2.10 ERA and 112 strikeouts in in 30 appearances (21 starts) for the Single-A West Virginia Power. He was named a South Atlantic League mid- and post-season All-Star while also earning league accolades as the "Most Outstanding Pitcher" and "Best Right-Handed" pitcher earlier this month. Garcia became the first Power pitcher to lead the league in ERA while also finishing tied for second in wins and fifth in strikeouts. Garcia also took home South Atlantic League Player-of-the-Month honors for July when he posted a 6-0 record and a 0.90 ERA in six games (five starts).

"Yeudy did a great job this year," said Broadway. "The numbers speak for themselves, but perhaps the most impressive thing was that he is in his first season in the U.S., and playing baseball under the lights for the first time. Most of us take for granted how difficult that transition would be for a young player, but he did a great job not letting it phase him, and taking care of business from day one."

Moroff and Garcia will be honored prior to the second game of tonight's doubleheader at PNC Park.