ports Former Marauder Hits Home Run on First Major League Pitch

BRADENTON -- Former Bradenton Marauder Starling Marte has been called up by the Pittsburgh Pirates. The centerfielder played for the Marauders in 2010 when he hit .315, while sporting an impressive range in the outfield and stealing 22 bases. Marte had been at triple-A Indianapolis, where he was leading Minor League Baseball in triples with 13.

Marte led off the game for Pittsburgh Thursday night in his major-league debut against Houston. On the very first pitch of the game – and the very first pitch of Marte's career no less – he hit a home run off Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel (watch it here).

Marte is the first Pirate to hit a homer in his first career at-bat since 1961. In all likelihood, the fact that he hit it on the first pitch of his career and the first pitch of a game probably put him among few (if any) players in major league baseball. In a bit of sweet irony, Marauder Alex Dickerson hit a home run on the very first pitch after Marte's feat was announced over the broadcast system at  McKechnie field, where the first place Marauders fell to the Cubs 9-7. The home runs were Dickerson's 9th and 10th of the season.

Always a threat to run, Marte stole 20 or more bases at every level in the Pirates' farm system. Pittsburgh invited Marte to camp this spring, where the 23-year-old went 13-25 with three home runs. After a slow start to the triple-A season, Marte turned the corner in June by hitting .325, scoring 28 runs and driving in 25 on his way to being named International League Player of the Month.

Marte is the 5th former Marauder to join a big league roster. Nathan Adcock made his Major League debut last season with the Royals. Jeff Locke and Eric Fryer each played for the Pirates last season. Pitcher Bryan Morris, who was the ace on Bradenton's inagural 2010 team, was promoted to the Pirates last month, but did not appear in a game.

Marte is expected to start at either right or left field, complimenting all-star center fielder Andrew McCutchen, and bat in the leadoff position. The Pirates have struggled at the top of the order and are hoping the 23 year-old Dominican Republic native can carry his impressive ability to get on base (.348 OBP with Indianapolis) into the big leagues.