Beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, October 26, the Pittsburgh Pirates will recognize several players and staffers from the organization’s four full-season affiliates over the next few days as part of the inaugural Young Bucs Awards Week. The Pirates will announce both individual and team award winners for the organization’s minor league system.

Each award was voted on by the Pirates Baseball Operations Staff and is named in honor of former Pirates greats as a tribute and connection to the Club’s historic past.

The award schedule includes:

Tuesday, October 26

- Staff-of-the-Year

- Danny Murtaugh Coach-of-the-Year

- Manny Sanguillen Teammates-of-the-Year

Wednesday, October 27

- Willie Stargell Slugger-of-the-Year

- Kent Tekulve Reliever-of-the-Year

- Bill Mazeroski Defender-of-the-Year

- Omar Moreno Baserunner-of-the-Year

Thursday, October 28

- Honus Wagner Player-of-the-Year

- Bob Friend Pitcher-of-the-Year

Each day will include media availabilities with select players and staffers via Zoom conference. Video conference information and availabilities will be released with each day’s announcement.

Pittsburgh’s four full-season minor league affiliates produced a combined 264-220 record this past season, which was the best winning percentage (.545) among all National League organizations and the fifth-best in all of baseball, trailing only the Tampa Bay Rays (.645), New York Yankees (.604), Boston Red Sox (.579) and Seattle Mariners (.553).

Two of Pittsburgh’s four full-season affiliates also advanced to the championship series, highlighted by the Bradenton Marauders winning the first Low-A Southeast League championship last month.

About the Young Bucs Awards

The Honus Wagner Player-of-the-Year is awarded to the Pirates minor leaguer who had the most impressive overall season. The award is named in honor of the legendary Pirates Hall-of-Fame shortstop who played 2,437 games in a Pirates uniform. Wagner is regarded as the best shortstop to ever play the game and won eight National League batting crowns in his 17-year career. He tops the Pirates career batting charts in runs scored (1,521) and triples (231) and is second only to the great Roberto Clemente in at-bats (9,047), hits (2,970) and total bases (4,234).

The Bob Friend Pitcher-of-the-Year is named in honor of the former Pirates righthander who led the N.L with a 2.83 ERA in 1955. He also led the league in innings pitched in 1956 and again in 1957 and was named to four All-Star games during his 15-year career with the Pirates. Friend owns numerous Pirates career pitching records including games started (477), innings pitched (3,481) and strikeouts (1,682).

The Kent Tekulve Reliever-of-the-Year award is named in honor of the Pirates career saves leader, “Teke.” Tekulve pitched 12 seasons with the Pirates, amassing 158 saves and a 2.68 ERA in that time while helping the club to their fifth World Championship in 1979 while also being named to the 1980 All-Star team.

The Manny Sanguillen Teammates-of-the-Year awards are given to one player at each of the four full-season affiliates who best exemplifies Sanguillen’s passion for the game and building friendships among teammates. The beloved Sanguillen spent 12 seasons in Pittsburgh, was named to three N.L. All-Star teams and helped lead the team to two World Championships.

The Willie Stargell Slugger-of-the-Year is awarded to the best hitter in the Pirates minor league system. The award is named for the iconic Pirates Hall-of-Famer who was named to seven All-Star teams, led the Pirates to two World Series Championships and won the 1979 MVP Award. Stargell led the N.L in home runs in 1971 and 1973 with 48 and 44 respectively and finished his 21-year Pirates career with 475 home runs, topping the Pirates career-leaders chart.

The Omar Moreno Baserunner-of-the-Year award is presented to the top base-stealer in the Pirates minor league system. The award is named in honor of former Pirates outfielder Omar Moreno, who starred in center field for the Pirates from 1975-82 and led the league in stolen bases in 1978 and 1979 with 71 and 77 respectively.

The Bill Mazeroski Defender-of-the-Year award is given to the top defender in the Pirates minor league system. The award is named in honor of Pirates Hall-of-Fame second baseman Bill Mazeroski, who won eight Gold Glove awards during his storied 17-year career and earned the reputation as one of the finest fielding second basemen in the history of the game.

The Danny Murtaugh Coach-of-the-Year is awarded to the Pirates minor league coach who has had the biggest impact on the development of talent throughout the season. The award is named in honor of long-time Pirates manager Danny Murtaugh, who served in the role for 15 seasons, leading the club to two World Series Championships.