Pirates extend contract of Starling Marte
The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced the club has agreed to terms on a six-year contract extension with outfielder Starling Marte, with club options for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. The announcement was made by Pirates Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington.
The 25-year-old Marte spent his first full season in the Majors with Pittsburgh in 2013 and hit .280 (143-for-510) with 26 doubles, 10 triples, 12 home runs, 35 RBI and 41 stolen bases in 135 games. He ranked third in the National League in stolen bases and tied for second in triples. In addition, he led all National League hitters with a .402 average against left-handed pitchers and ranked third among N.L. leadoff batters with a .440 on-base percentage.
"Today is a great day for Starling Marte and the Pittsburgh Pirates organization," said Huntington. "We are honored to make a commitment to such a quality young man and exciting young player and we are humbled that Starling has made a significant commitment to the Pirates."
Marte made 124 appearances (113 starts) in left field and 13 appearances (six starts) in center field with the Pirates in 2013. The Dominican Republic native also became the first Pittsburgh outfielder since Andy Van Slyke in 1992 to collect at least 10 doubles, 10 triple and 10 home runs in the same season. \
Rated by Baseball America as the "Best Athlete" in the Pittsburgh farm system prior to the 2011 and 2012 seasons, Marte made his Major League debut in Houston on 7/26/12 and homered off Dallas Keuchel on the first pitch of the game. In 182 career games in the big leagues, he has recorded a .275 batting average, 29 doubles, 16 triples, 17 home runs, 52 RBI and 53 stolen bases to go along with a .332 onbase percentage.
Among his minor league accolades, Marte was an International League mid- and post-season All-Star in 2012 after batting .286 with a league-leading 13 triples. He also led the Eastern League with a .332 average, 178 hits and 38 doubles while being named to the league's mid- and post-season All-Star teams in 2011.