Steve Pearce Named Topps/Minor League Player of the Year
October 23, 2007 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ST. PETERSBURG, FL-Steve Pearce, who began his season in Class A and ended it with the parent Pittsburgh Pirates, is the 2007 winner of the J.G. Taylor Spink Award as the Topps/Minor League Player of the Year. Pearce's rapid ascent through the Pirates' system this year can be credited to a consistent bat and outstanding glove at first base.
The 24-year-old began his season with the Lynchburg Hillcats in the Carolina League. After hitting in 16 of 19 games with a .347 average, eleven homers and 24 RBIs, Pearce was promoted to the Double-A Altoona Curve.
Pearce went two-for-four with double, solo homer and a pair of RBIs in his first start for the Curve. In his three-month stint with Altoona in the Eastern League, the Lakeland, Fla., resident never went more than two games in a row without getting a hit. Pearce claimed the Eastern League Topps Player of the Month honor in June when he hit .404-8-34.
He followed up June with an impressive July, hitting at a .352 clip with multi-hit games in half of his 24 contests. Overall Pearce hit .334-14-72 for the Curve in 81 games. The Pirates then moved him up the ladder to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians at the end of July.
The International League proved not to be a problem, either. In a month at Indianapolis, Pearce continued to hit and produce, sporting a .320 average with six round-trippers and 17 RBIs in 34 games. Pittsburgh, who drafted Pearce out of the University of South Carolina in the 8th round in 2005, then called him up to the Pirates in September.
Pearce, who finished in the top 20 in fielding percentage (.992) among full-season players, ended his spectacular season by hitting .294 in 23 games for the Pirates. He joins a group of former Spink winners that includes Alex Gordon (2006 winner); Josh Beckett (2001); Eric Chavez (1999); Paul Konerko (1997); Andruw Jones (1996); and Derek Jeter (1994).
The best performances in all classifications of Minor League Baseball again this year are being honored by the Topps Company of New York, NY, in conjunction with Minor League Baseball.
Eastern League Stories from October 23, 2007
- Steve Pearce Named Topps/Minor League Player of the Year - Altoona Curve
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