The Marlins announced their minor league award winners for 2009.

The Florida Marlins today named right-handed pitcher Cristhian Martinez their Minor League Pitcher of the Year and outfielder Michael Stanton their Minor League Player of the Year.

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Martinez, 27, went 9-3 with a 2.94 ERA (104.0 IP/34 ER) in 17 appearances with the Jacksonville Suns, allowing only 96 hits and a .249 average against.

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Stanton, 19, finished the year with a combined batting average of .255, .339 on-base percentage, and .501 slugging percentage in 79 games for the Jupiter Hammerheads and 50 games for the Suns.

Martinez had a couple of brief appearances with the big club, and his performance was somewhat less that stellar, but he wasn't awful either, most of the time.  But he will be 28 years-old come April and if he is ever going to make a move now is the time.  While we wish him the best, it is looking less likely that he will make the jump from the minors to being a stalwart in the Marlins bullpen.

Stanton is still unbelievably young and he needs some more work in the minors.  He is an all or nothing strikeout machine.  I have nothing against strikeouts, sometimes if an out is going to occur that is the best outcome.  However having a high whiff rate in the minors, doesn't always translate well.

But this is one sorry post, the boys did well and earned a honor and should be congratulated, so that is what I will do.

Congratulations to Cirsthian and Michael!