Pearce Named Tribe's August Player Of The Month
September 1, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
INDIANAPOLIS -- First baseman/right fielder Steven Pearce has been named Indianapolis Indians Player of the Month for August. As part of the award, he will receive a custom-made watch courtesy of Windsor Jewelers.
Pearce posted a .314 batting average, .357 on-base percantage, .559 slugging percentage, six home runs, 17 RBI and 76 total bases during the last full month of 2007. He also collected 11 multi-hit performances and drove in more than one run on four occasions.
Pearce, who is ranked by Baseball America as the Pirates' No. 6 prospect, was hitless in only six of his 31 affairs during the month and struck out just 11 times in 118 at-bats. Pearce led the Tribe in BA, SLG, hits (37), runs (17), doubles (9), homers and stolen bases (5) during the stretch.
"Steven had a great month of August and is very deserving of this honor," Indians Manager Trent Jewett says. "Steven believes in himself. He goes into new situations with the attitude that 'I'm the man for this job.' He has been very confident and focused on what he's wanted to accomplish at the plate."
Pearce became the first Indian this season to knock in six runs in a game on Aug. 16 at Durham. The 5-foot-11, 209-pound slugger went 3-for-5 with a two-run double and a pair of two-run dingers that night.
Pearce owns a .320 BA with six HR and 17 RBI through 34 Triple-A tilts. He is hitting .391 with three long balls and nine RBI against left-handed pitchers and .303 with three dingers and eight RBI vs. right-handed hurlers.
The Triple-A rookie ranks among the Minor League leaders in total bases (3rd - 303), RBI (3rd - 113), extra-base hits (T-3rd - 75), slugging (4th - .622) and home runs (T-6th - 31). Before being promoted to Indianapolis on July 30, Pearce batted .347 with 11 HR and 24 RBI in 19 contests for High-A Lynchburg (Va.) and .334 with 14 HR and 72 RBI in 81 contests for Double-A Altoona (Pa.).
"Steven has put up some offensive numbers that are very rare," Jewett adds. "He has enjoyed success at three different levels this year (Lynchburg, Altoona and Indianapolis). Steven has adjusted quickly at every stop, and I'm sure that's been a big part of the success he's had."
Pearce is in his third season with the Pittsburgh organization after being selected in the eighth round of the 2005 draft. He entered the season with a .283 BA, 33 HR and 150 RBI in 203 Minor League games.
For more on Pearce, visit Jewett's latest blog entry -- http://blogs.indystar.com/indians/.
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