MLB Pipeline Names Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects Of The Year

One day after the Pittsburgh Pirates named their Minor League Pitcher and Player of the Year, MLB Pipeline gave out their same awards for the Pirates

On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Pirates handed out some awards. James Marvel was named the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year, while Mason Martin was named the organization’s Minor League Player of the Year.

Well, on Thursday, MLB Pipeline handed out the same awards for the Pirate organization. While one of the awards had the same winner, one, however, was different.

Martin was MLB Pipeline’s Pirate Minor League Player of the Year. Martin’s accolades were discuss on the site yesterday. After a 35 home run, 70 extra base hit season Martin is emerging as one of the premiere power hitting prospects in all of baseball.

The Pirate Minor League Pitcher of the Year, however, was different according to the folks at MLB Pipeline. Instead of Marvel taking home the award, right-handed pitcher Cody Bolton did instead. This should come as no surprise as Bolton has become the top pitching prospect in the organization with the graduation of Mitch Keller to the MLB level.

Bolton started his 2019 season with High-A Bradenton and finished with Double-A Altoona. Between the two levels the 21-year-old Bolton logged 101 2/3 innings in 21 starts. In these 21 starts he owned a 3.28 ERA, 3.03 FIP, 7.4% walk rate, 25.1% strikeout rate, and he allowed just 7 home runs.

Bolton throws a power fastball and mixes in a plus change up. This season Bolton made big strides with the change up as it became a weapon for him. He also throws a two-seamed fastball and a cutter/slider combo that has given opposing batters fits.

When the 2020 season begins Bolton will be back with Double-A Altoona, however, with a strong performance he should reach the Triple-A level at some point. If Martin begins the season back at High-A Bradenton, it should not take him long to join Bolton in Altoona.