CHARLESTON, W.VA. - Mason Martin burst onto the prospect scene last summer in the Gulf Coast League thanks in large part to his bat.
The 2017 17th round pick set a GCL Pirates record with 11 home runs to go with 22 runs batted in, had a .307 batting average with a .457 on-base percentage and a .630 slugging percentage while taking 32 walks and striking out 41 times in 127 at-bats over 39 games. That was good enough to earn him the league's Most Valuable Player award.
For an encore this season in the South Atlantic League with the West Virginia Power, Martin wants to keep the momentum rolling on offense while honing his craft on defense at first base.