Starling Marte

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #4 prospect in 2012
  The Pirates signed Marte for $85,000 in 2007 and his stock has risen dramatically since he arrived in the United States in 2009. A career .309/.366/.453 hitter, he led the Double- A Eastern League in batting (.332), hits (178) and doubles (38) in 2011 while drawing comparisons to Austin Jackson. Pittsburgh added him to its 40-man roster in November. Marte shows four strong tools and Pittsburgh is optimistic that there's more power in his bat. He uses his well above-average speed to beat out hits, though he's still learning to maximize it on the bases, where he can get too aggressive. He chases fewer breaking balls than he used to, but he needs to improve his plate discipline. If Marte gets more selective and starts using his lower half more, he could show more pop. He's good enough right now to be an above-average defensive center fielder in the major leagues with outstanding range and a strong arm. His passion for the game and flair for the dramatic are evident. Marte will begin 2012 in Triple-A Indianapolis and almost certainly will make his major league debut at some point later in the season. He's so good defensively in center field that he eventually could push all-star Andrew McCutchen to left. If Marte continues to add power, he could be an all-star.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #4 prospect in 2011
  Signed for a relatively low $85,000, Marte has shown five-tool potential since coming to the United States in 2009, becoming the franchise's most anticipated Latin American prospect since Jose Guillen. Marte was in a 1-for-18 slump last May when he was diagnosed with a broken hamate bone in his left hand. Surgery cost him two months but he quickly returned to form afterward. One club official unflinchingly calls Marte the best player in the system. He stands out most with his plus-plus speed, particularly in center field, where he also has an above-average arm. Some scouts believe he could play defensively in Pittsburgh right now. His basestealing isn't polished, but he'll be dangerous once he masters reads and jumps. At the plate, Marte drives the ball from gap to gap. He has hit just five homers in two seasons in the United States, but he has the strength and swing path to hit 15-20 annually. The Pirates want him to focus on his on-base skills, because he doesn't control the strike zone or square up many breaking balls. Marte's advanced defense will accelerate his rise, as will his intelligence and ambition. But his strike-zone discipline will have to keep pace. Ticketed for Double-A in 2011, he could push Andrew McCutchen to an outfield corner when he arrives in Pittsburgh within a couple of years.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #6 prospect in 2010
  Marte is the first tangible result of the Pirates' renewed commitment to scouting Latin America. Signed for $85,000 in January 2007, he was the MVP of Pittsburgh's Rookielevel Dominican Summer League affiliate the following year. He made his U.S. debut in 2009, jumping from the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League to low Class A West Virginia after just two games. Marte is a potential five-tool talent. He stands out most with his plus-plus speed, which makes him a basestealing threat and a good defender in center and right field. He's a line-drive machine who should hit for power once he gets stronger. He also has an above-average arm. To be a threat at higher levels, Marte will need to get stronger and improve his pitch recognition and plate discipline. He seemed hesitant to turn on pitches in 2009, though that was partly a function of the Pirates asking him to concentrate on making contact. He makes tremendous plays in the outfield, but he also botches more than his share and made seven errors in 58 games last season. Marte has as much raw all-around ability as anybody in the system. He'll advance to high Class A Bradenton and work on refining his talent in 2010.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked International League #2 prospect in 2012
  Marte broke out last season by winning the Double-A Eastern League batting title at .332, then matched his 2011 home run total (12) in just 99 games with Indianapolis to earn a big league promotion. His all-around tools and athleticism made him the league's best pure hitter and position-player prospect. Marte has a quick bat and natural feel for the barrel, but he still needs to improve his pitch recognition. He could become a star if he gets into hitters' counts more consistently and taps into his plus raw power. He demonstrated his pop and plus speed by leading the IL with 13 triples. At times, Marte is too aggressive. As one manager put it, he still lets the game speed up on him. His quickness plays better in the outfield than on the bases, and his strong, accurate arm helps him profile as a plus defender at any outfield spot.
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  Ranked Eastern League #7 prospect in 2011
  Though Marte led the league in batting (.332), hits (178) and doubles (38), EL observers liked his glove as much or more than his bat. His excellent speed that plays well in center field though not as well on the bases, and he owns a solid, accurate arm. His tools prompt comparisons to Austin Jackson's. Marte does a good job of making contact and uses his speed to beat balls out, but he still has to prove that he can do more offensively than hit for average. While he doesn't draw walks, he made significant strides in identifying and laying off breaking balls out of the strike zone, indicating his aptitude. He'll have to incorporate his lower half into his swing better to improve his below-average pop.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #73 prospect in 2012

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: The Pirates signed Marte for $85,000 in 2007 and his stock has risen dramatically since he arrived in the United States in 2009. A career .309/.366/.453 hitter, he led the Double-A Eastern League in batting (.332), hits (178) and doubles (38) in 2011 while drawing comparisons to Austin Jackson. Scouting Report: Marte shows four strong tools and Pittsburgh is optimistic that there's more power in his bat. He uses his well above-average speed to beat out hits, though he's still learning to maximize it on the bases, where he can get too aggressive. He chases fewer breaking balls than he used to, but he needs to improve his plate discipline. If Marte gets more selective and starts using his lower half more, he could show more pop. He's good enough right now to be an above-average defensive center fielder in the major leagues with outstanding range and a strong arm. His passion for the game and flair for the dramatic are evident. The Future: Marte will begin 2012 in Triple-A Indianapolis and almost certainly will make his major league debut at some point later in the season. He's so good defensively in center field that he eventually could push all-star Andrew McCutchen to left. If Marte continues to add power, he could be an all-star.