Marty Neff

Thomas Martin Neff

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 190 lb.
• School Rancho Santiago College, University of Oklahoma
• High School Magnolia High School
• Born February 12, 1970 in Olathe, KS USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Outfielder/first baseman Marty Neff played in the Pittsburgh Pirates system from 1991 to 1993, before embarking on a long career in independent ball, spent mostly in the Northern League.

He was drafted three times. He was originally taken by the Atlanta Braves in the 25th round of the 1988 amateur draft, one pick ahead of pitcher Brian Barnes, but opted not to sign. He was then taken by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 28th round of the 1989 amateur draft, a few picks after pitcher Brian Bark, but again did not sign. He finally inked a contract after being taken by the Pirates in the 5th round of the 1991 amateur draft, a few picks after outfielder Rickey Cradle and in the same round as future start Nomar Garciaparra.

After a ho-hum initial campaign in which he hit .237/.250/.433 in 54 games between two clubs, he rebounded to bat .275/.300/.492 with 23 homers and 74 RBI in 122 games between the Salem Buccaneers and Augusta Pirates in 1992. He walked just 14 times in 476 plate appearances, or once every 34 PAs. His average slipped toward the Mendoza line in 1993, though he still managed 18 home runs. Again, he walked just 14 times, this time in 427 plate appearances.

The Pirates cut him loose and he joined the indy ranks in 1994. He played in the Northern League from 1994 to 1998, the Western League in 1997 and the Northern League East in 2000. Seasons of note include 1995 with the Sioux City Explorers (.295/.323/.513, 17 HR, 64 RBI), 1996 with Sioux City and the St. Paul Saints (.323/.343/.572, 19 HR, 74 RBI) and 1998 with Sioux City (.329/.369/.565, 15 HR, 74 RBI).

Overall, Neff hit .274/.307/.470 with 132 home runs and 526 RBI in 790 games over 10 seasons. In the Pirates chain, he hit .249/.273/.446 with 50 homers and 162 RBI in 285 games. In indy ball, he hit .287/.324/.483 with 82 home runs and 364 RBI in 505 games. He averaged one walk every 24.8 plate appearances, with just 132 BBs in his career.

He led in multiple categories throughout his career. In 1992, he tied Randy Kapano for the Carolina League lead in slugging percentage. He also led the league in isolated power (.279). In 1995, he tied multiple players for the Northern League lead in games played (85) and was second in runs scored (74, behind Doug O'Neill's 75). In 1996, he led the Northern League in at-bats (353) and was second in games played (84, tied with multiple, behind Darin Everson's 85) and total bases (202, behind Darryl Motley's 215). In 1998, he led the Northern League in games played (86, tied with multiple), doubles (33) and extra base hits (50).

He also played in the Hawaiian Winter League.