Mason Martin sets GCL Pirates home run record

Tuesday, Mason Martin tied the Gulf Coast League Pirates’ single-season record for home runs with 10.

Thursday, Martin took ownership of the title for himself, belting a solo shot over the left-center fence with two outs in the first inning against the GCL Tigers East.

“It felt awesome,” Mason said of trying and breaking the record. “I found out about the record a few days before I could tie it. It wasn’t in my mind the majority of the season. It was cool. It was something to shoot for. I just go out and try to have quality at-bats. I’m glad I did it. It shows the work I have put in.”

A 17th-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates this spring, Martin tied Walter Young for the team record Tuesday with 10 home runs. Young set the record in 2000.

Martin, a 2017 Southridge High School graduate, has played 37 of the GCL Pirates’ 58 games, and also leads the GCL with 11 home runs. The next closest player has seven, and three players have six.

“I try not to look at the stats, but that is a pretty cool achievement,” Martin. “I don’t think it surprises me. That many home runs in that many games is a testament of me trying to bring it every day and performing for my team.”

Martin, 18, who typically pulls home run balls over the right-field fence, hit his first opposite field homer of his pro career Thursday.

“I have been trying to hit the ball away and have more of a professional approach,” Martin said. “You have to be able to hit it wherever it is on the plate.”

In 37 games this season, Martin is hitting .311 (eighth in the GCL) with eight doubles, 11 home runs, 22 RBIs and has scored 37 runs (third in GCL).

“I have been having fun,” Martin said. “The love I have for baseball runs deep. I go out every day and bring my bat. With the Pirates, they like to plant the seed, water it and watch it grow. They let the players develop and do their thing right now.”

The GCL Pirates, who are out of playoff contention, have two games remaining. Sunday, Martin will come home for a week, then return to Florida for a month of fall instruction.

“That will be fun,” Martin said of the upcoming instruction league. “Then I will have time off before I come back in December for a couple weeks for weight training. Then, we are off until the beginning of March for spring training.”

This story was originally published August 31, 2017 at 3:35 PM with the headline "Mason Martin sets GCL Pirates home run record."