Minor league success isn’t always defined by wins and losses.

The Indianapolis Indians missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, but several of their top players are making an everyday impact with the parent Pittsburgh Pirates.

That’s the goal.

Prospects perform: Seven of Pittsburgh’s top 10 prospects spent time in Indy this summer. Andrew McCutchen (No. 2), Neil Walker (No. 6), and Daniel McCutchen (No. 9) earned promotions to Pittsburgh, along with numerous others not on the list. Daniel McCutchen was named the Indians MVP after going 13-6 with a 3.47 ERA. He pitched 171/3 scoreless innings during a stretch in August.

One shining night (there): Andrew McCutchen did plenty during his second stint here. The Tribe’s top outfield prospect hit for average (.303). He scored runs (41). He ran down fly balls in center field. He stole bases (10).

By early June, he was off to Pittsburgh, and two months later, he made team history.

On Aug. 1, he did something Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell didn’t: McCutchen became the first Pirates rookie to hit three home runs in a game. Incredibly, McCutchen entered the game with just three career home runs. According to Elias Sports Bureau, just 10 others players with so few career homers have hit three in one game.

One shining night (here): Hard to argue with Ian Snell ’s 17-strikeout game in late June. Snell struck out 13 consecutive batters against Toledo en route to setting the Victory Field record for most in a game. The day before, Tribe left-hander Tom Gorzelanny struck out 12.

Better late than never: Outfielder Garrett Jones ’ power surge was no shock. He had belted 30 home runs twice in the minors, but neither Atlanta nor Minnesota had given the 28-year-old journeyman an extended shot in the majors. Pittsburgh did after Jones blasted 12 homers for the Indians. Two of Jones’ homers came in a June 9 game at Buffalo, where the Tribe hit a season-high five.

Jones leads the Pirates with 18 home runs — in just 59 games.

Dual threat: Outfielder Larry Broadway joked earlier in the season about his pitching ability. He put it to use in the Tribe’s final home game. After hitting a home run in the third inning, Broadway pitched the final inning. It was his fourth pitching appearance of the season, most among position players. (Utility player Chris Barnwell pitched in two games.)

Attendance: The Tribe averaged 8,202 fans, 335 fewer than in 2008.

Next year? Assuming he doesn’t make the club out of spring training, Pittsburgh’s top prospect Pedro Alvarez should be headed here. Alvarez was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 draft. The third baseman started the season in high Class A, then hit .333 with 13 home runs and 40 RBIs at Double-A Altoona. Alvarez and outfielder Jose Tabata (Pittsburgh’s No. 3 prospect) ** could form a potent pair.