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McPherson Selected As Pirates' Pitcher of the Year

Alabama native led Pirates' minor leaguers with 142 strikeouts
September 23, 2011
PITTSBURGH - Altoona Curve RHP Kyle McPherson was selected as the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league Pitcher of the Year, the club announced earlier today.  McPherson was selected as the Pitcher of the Year while Bradenton's Robbie Grossman was tabbed as the minor league Player of the Year. 

McPherson, 23, began the 2011 campaign with the Bradenton Marauders of the Florida State League before making the jump to Altoona in early June.  In his time with the Marauders, McPherson was 4-1 with a 2.89 ERA in 12 starts and also came just shy of tossing a no hitter on May 31st vs. Brevard County.  He made his Altoona debut on the road in Reading on June 10th and was an out away from completing six scoreless innings before the R-Phils scored three times. 

All told, McPherson went 8-5 with a 3.02 ERA in 16 starts for Altoona.  He enjoyed his best success in Double-A during the month of July when he boasted a 4-1 mark to go along with a 2.60 ERA across six starts.  The Mobile, Ala. native fanned a Double-A best 10 batters in a win over Portland on July 30th and then went a Double-A best seven innings in a victory over Trenton in his very next start on August 5th. 

McPherson ended the season with two scoreless outings (10.0 IP combined) and struck out eight while giving up just three hits.  His 12 combined wins between Altoona and Bradenton were second-most among Pirates' farmhands behind teammate Phil Irwin, who had 13.  All told, he was 12-6 with a 2.96 ERA between his time with the Curve and the Marauders.  His 142 combined strikeouts were also the most for any Pirates' minor league pitcher this season and the most by any since 2006. 

This is the second year in a row that a member of the Curve has been selected the organizational minor league Pitcher of the Year.  Last season, Rudy Owens was selected the Pitcher of the Year while Alex Presley was honored as the Player of the Year. 

Yuengling Oktoberfest 2011 at Blair County Ballpark will take place on Saturday, October 1st from 4-10 p.m. and feature authentic German-style music and entertainment, food, and of course, beer from the Yuengling family.  Pittsburgh's Grammy Nominee & Grammy Winner Participant Dick Tady Orchestra along with Mr. Oktoberfest Joe Maloy will provide the musical entertainment during the inaugural event. 

Tickets can be purchased over the phone at 877.99.CURVE, online at www.AltoonaCurve.com or by stopping by the BCB box office. This event is for those ages 21 and over and tickets are $10 in advance or $15 the day of the event.

This event is presented by Yuengling, Forever Broadcasting, Five Star Suzuki Altoona, Wise Trailer Sales, Triumph of Windber, Penstan Supply, and Fiore True Value Just Ask Rental.

-CURVE-