Starling Marte Tabbed in Futures Game

BRADENTON, FL - Former Marauders outfielder Starling Marte has been tabbed by Major League baseball for the 2011 XM All-Star Futures Game. Marte will play for the World Team. The game is played during the Major League all-star festivities, this season on July 10th at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ. This year marks the 13th Futures Game, which showcases the best minor league players across all levels, pitting a US Team against a World Team. It will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and MLB.TV.

Marte, 22, batted .315 with 33 RBI and 22 stolen bases with the Marauders in 2010, despite missing two months due to a hand injury. He was promoted to Double-A Altoona this season, where he's hitting .338 with four homeruns through 68 games. His average is second best in the Eastern League. A native of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, Marte is listed by Baseball America as the fourth best prospect in the Pirates organization, behind only Jameson Taillon, Tony Sanchez and Stetson Allie.

The Pirates also had infielder Chase d'Arnaud tabbed to the US roster for the game. The Pirates elevated d'Arnaud to the Major Leagues from Triple-A Indianapolis today.

Marte becomes the third Marauders player named to the Futures Game after Sanchez and Bryan Morris received the honor last season. Sanchez missed the game because on a broken jaw.

The Marauders return home to take on the Fort Myers Miracle Friday at 7pm. The game features postgame wrestling matches from Florida Championship Wrestling, the future stars of WWE, the world's premiere wrestling company. Saturday features a giveaway to the first 500 fans of the 2011 Marauders team card set. For ticketing and full promotional information call 941-747-3031 or visit BradentonMarauders.com.