Sports stats



IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Baseball America Honors Marte, Wood

August 14, 2012 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- Former Indians outfielder Starling Marte garnered a trio of honors and Indianapolis closer Tim Wood was tabbed the International League's Best Reliever asBaseball America issued its annual mid-season tools awards.

The 24-year-old Marte spent only the first half of the season in the IL but was named the league's Best Batting Prospect, Best Defensive Outfielder and Most Exciting Player by the reputable publication.

Marte batted .286 (11-for-388) in 99 games for Indianapolis, racking up 21 doubles, 13 triples, 12 home runs, 62 RBI, 64 runs scored and 21 stolen bases. At the time of his promotion to the major leagues, he ranked in the IL's top five in games played, at bats, hits, extra-base hits (46), total bases (194), RBI, runs scored and stolen bases.

His 13 triples at that time led all of Minor League Baseball, proving his potent mix of power and speed. That plus-plus combination is what caught the attention ofBaseball America.

"No one else even merited a vote for Most Exciting Player, which went to Starling Marte," the magazine wrote. "Before earning his big league promotion in July, Marte was leading the league in triples by six over his closest competitors."

The excitement hasn't died out since Marte made his major league debut on July 26. In that game against the Astros, Marte hit the first pitch of his big league career over the left-center field fence at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Marte hasn't slowed down since that round-tripper and through Monday was batting .263 (20-for-76) in 18 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates with two triples, four home runs, 10 RBI, seven runs scored and three stolen bases.

The toolsy prospect has also defended his Best Defensive Outfielder honor while in the big leagues, posting a 1.000 fielding percentage with 24 putouts and one assist in 25 total chances. Marte had committed just one error in 240 total chances (a .996 fielding percentage) with Indianapolis, recording 231 putouts and eight assists while being involved with a pair of double plays.

In addition to Marte, right-handed pitcher Tim Wood was honored byBaseball America, which called the Indianapolis closer the Best Reliever in the International League. Wood tossed two scoreless innings on Sunday night to earn his 17th save of the season, moving him into a tie for the second-most in the league.

In 47 games for the Tribe, Wood is 5-5 with a 2.13 ERA (15 earned runs in 63.1 innings pitched), allowing 47 hits and just 18 walks while recording 58 strikeouts.

Check out the Indianapolis Indians Statistics

• Discuss this story on the International League message board...

International League Stories from August 14, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central