PHOENIX -- The Pirates kicked off their year-end minor-league awards Tuesday by recognizing four players who made a noticeable impact in the system.
Outfielder Matt Gorski was named the Willie Stargell Slugger of the Year, left-hander Tyler Samaniego was named the Kent Tekulve Reliever of the Year, third baseman Jared Triolo was named the Bill Mazeroski Defender of the Year and Infielder Tsung-Che Cheng was named the Omar Moreno Baserunner of the Year.
There was no question Gorski was the organization's top slugger this year, as he clobbered 24 home runs with a .598 slugging percentage in his 81 games played, ranging from Class High-A Greensboro to a brief cameo with Class AAA Indianapolis at the end of the season. While he's always had raw power, 2022 was by far his biggest year at the plate.
He was originally surprised to be left behind in Greensboro at the start of the year while most of his teammates from 2021 moved onto Altoona, but he quickly tore up the league and earned a quick promotion. He didn't cool off from there.
"I should be proud of all the power and stuff, but I’m really just proud of the way I handled everything," Gorski said over Zoom Tuesday. "At the beginning of the year, obviously didn’t start where I wanted to. Didn’t move up from last year. So just handling that adversity and getting up to the next level is just what I’m most proud of."
Gorski was sidelined for a chunk of the season with a quad injury, which flared up again at the end of the year, costing him a trip to the Arizona Fall League.
Triolo in the only repeat award winner of the bunch, once again being recognized for his defense. Unlike last year, where he played exclusively third base, he was challenged with reps at shortstop and center field as well. The new positions didn't cause a drop off with his glove.
"I think it was my first outing, he made like two or three players behind me and I'm like 'oof, that guy is the real deal,' " Samaniego said over Zoom Tuesday. "It's definitely awesome not having to worry about anything when the ball comes off the bat."
Samaniego is a fast-riser in the Pirates' system, going from a 15th round pick in 2021 to rising to Class AA Altoona already. After allowing one run in 17 innings pitched in Greensboro, he recorded a 3.52 ERA for the Curve over 30 2/3 innings.
A converted position player, Samaniego has evolved from the "thrower" that he thought he was not so long ago.
"I definitely would say I feel like a pitcher now," Samaniego said. "I feel like I've settled in. I feel comfortable out there every time I step on the mound."
Cheng, 20, stole 33 bases on 39 tries this year for Class Low-A Bradenton. This was his first full season of affiliated ball, and he posted a .376 on-base percentage over 458 trips to the plate.
So much of the Pirates' rebuild is reliant on the farm system, so getting strong seasons from players who are not normally regarded as top prospects is a good sign for the system's depth. Gorski got to see a lot of that depth because he played for three different teams in 2022, and he's looking forward to what it could bring.
"I’m super excited," Gorski said, "and I think that fans should be super excited for what’s to come."
