Around the Curve | Curve in the Majors - Vol. 2
CURVE, PA. – Altoona has been a pipeline to the Major Leagues for nearly 26 years, with the current alumni count at 214 players achieving their dreams of becoming a big leaguer. This season, we want to look at some of the exciting accomplishments our alumni are achieving at the
CURVE, PA. – Altoona has been a pipeline to the Major Leagues for nearly 26 years, with the current alumni count at 214 players achieving their dreams of becoming a big leaguer. This season, we want to look at some of the exciting accomplishments our alumni are achieving at the Major League level. Every week, we will spotlight a handful of players who are succeeding at the next level and reflect on their time with the Curve, here on the Around the Curve Blog! Here is our second edition of: “Curve in the Majors.”
1. RHP - Paul Skenes - Pittsburgh Pirates
Season Stats: 1-0, 2.70 ERA, 2 Games (2 Starts) 10 IP, 3R, 6H, 3BBs, 18Ks
Pirates No. 1 Draft selection Paul Skenes made his much-anticipated Major League Debut last Saturday in front of a playoff-like atmosphere. Skenes immediately showed the reasoning behind the hype, striking out seven batters in four total innings. While he couldn’t go the distance after nearing a pitch limit, he was able to give many Pirates fans hope for the future.
As of the writing of this article, Skenes has just completed his second appearance in the black and gold against the Chicago Cubs. As if he had anything left to prove, Skenes struck out 11 batters in six innings of no-hit baseball. Consequently, this thrilling performance has made his legend grow even bigger in the minds of Curve and Pirate fans alike.
Skenes suited up just two times for the Curve before being shut down for the remainder of the 2023 season. During his time with the ball club, he finished with an ERA of 13.50 accompanied by five hits, five strikeouts, and two walks. It should be noted that the only time Skenes appeared in front of an Altoona crowd is now the franchise record for the biggest recorded attendance in Peoples Natural Gas Field history, at a whopping 10,164 fans.
2. C - Blake Sabol - San Francisco Giants
Season Stats: .313, 11 games, 2 2B, 1 RBI, .421 OBP, .375 SLG
Since leaving the Pirates organization, Blake Sabol has been on a tear throughout the Minor and Major Leagues. After recently being called up with the Giants for the second time in his young career, he’s argued to be in the Giants starting catcher picture for the future. Given San Francisco's current catching injury debacle, that just might be the case. He was promoted back to San Francisco on May 4 and has caught in eight of the 11 games he has played with the Giants this season.
Sabol appeared during most of the 2022 Curve season, coming out as a fan favorite and one of the top sluggers for that ball club that year. Before being called up to Triple-A Indianapolis towards the end of the season, Sabol would finish his stint with a .281 Batting average, 14 home runs, and 60 RBIs in 98 games.
3. RHP - Jameson Taillon - Chicago Cubs
Season Stats: 3-1, 1.61 ERA, 5 Games (5 Starts) 28.0 IP, 8 BBs, 18Ks
Jameson Taillon has started the 2024 campaign by throwing well in his first five starts with the Cubs this season. During this season, he’s allowed 11 runs on 23 hits, but only five of the runs are earned, leading to his strong ERA. What makes this stellar start more impressive is that Taillion is coming off a late spring training injury, causing him to miss opening week for the Cubs. He has bounced back to be one of the Cubs’ reliable arms in their rotation.
Taillon appeared 24 times in a Curve uniform, starting a total of 23 times. During his time in Altoona, Taillon pitched just over a total of 130 innings, averaging a strikeout per inning. Outside of those impressive stats, he was also named Eastern League Pitcher of The Week during the second week of August in 2012 and Eastern League Mid-Season All-Star in 2013.
4. RHP - Jared Jones - Pittsburgh Pirates
Season Stats: 3-4, 2.89 ERA, 9 Games, 53.0 IP, 63Ks, 7BBs
Jared Jones is yet another Pirates rookie that’s making waves this season. Jones started the season with the Pirates, after being a non-roster invited to spring training. Since being called up, he has lived up to the hype he built during his time in the minors, sliding his stellar slider highlight reel all over the country and becoming very well known for blowing off the doors of any offense he went up against. Jones most notably recent highlight came during the home series when the Pirates took on the Milwaukee Brewers. Not only did Jones pick up his second victory of the season but showcased his slider’s ability to make batters swing right out of their shoes.
Curve fans had a few opportunities to see Jones and his blistering fastball. Jones appeared in just 10 games with the Curve, tossing just over 44 total innings. During those 44 innings, he allowed just 11 runs on 32 hits while also walking 16 batters. Jones also struck out 47 Batters during that time frame, thanks in part to not only his lightning-quick fastball but also his quick sweeping slider.
5. OF - Bryan Reynolds - Pittsburgh Pirates
Season Stats: .254 avg., 46 games, 12 2B, 1 3B, 5 HRs, 20 RBIs
Bryan Reynolds is arguably the best player on the Pittsburgh Pirates right now and it’s not hard to see why. Not only has he been by far the most consistent player on the entire 40-man roster, but has consistently found ways to put more power into the sometimes underwhelming lineup. Reynolds currently leads the Pirates with 46 hits, 24 walks, and 12 doubles.
After being acquired in the Andrew McCutchen trade in 2017, Reynolds quickly made his way to the Curve roster. He went on to play 88 games with Altoona, dropping an impressive .302 avg with seven home runs and 46 RBIs.
Other Notes:
- Ji-Hwan Bae is once again ripping through International League opposing pitching, riding high with an impressive .345 batting average and .467 OBP. While Bae has yet to suit up for Pittsburgh this season, it's hard to see a reality where we don’t see Bae in a Pirates uniform soon.
- Canaan Smith-Nijgba has been a recurring player in the Indianapolis Indians lineup this season as he's appeared in 27 games. He is sporting a .381 on-base percentage and has seven extra-base hits with 10 RBI on the season. Smith-Njigba was designated for assignment by the Pirates earlier this season and is off the 40-man roster.
- Hammering Henry Davis is back at it again with the Indianapolis Indians after his recent option down from the Pirates on May 3. Since then, Davis has reached base safely a total of 10 times in his last nine game appearances. He has added a double and a home run in his brief time in Indy.
Stay tuned all season long for more exciting content on the Around the Curve Blog!
Bullpen Twirls a Gem in 7-1 Win
CURVE, Pa. – Altoona’s bullpen covered all nine innings in their 7-1 win over the Erie SeaWolves on Sunday night in front of 5,372 fans at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Making his second start of the week, lefty Blake Townsend tossed four scoreless innings in the start. He allowed just
Pichardo Stays Hot in 7-2 Loss
CURVE, Pa. – Kervin Pichardo homered and tripled in a run, but Altoona dropped a 7-2 decision to the Erie SeaWolves on Saturday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field in front of 4,536 patrons. Following an hour and 57 minute rain delay to begin the game, Erie plated two runs
Pichardo, Weatherford Boys Lead Friday Night Victory
CURVE, Pa. – Kervin Pichardo rocked a three-run homer and Weatherford, Texas natives, Brenden Dixon (two hits and a walk) and Beau Burrows (two scoreless innings, save) led a 4-1 win for Altoona over the Erie SeaWolves on Friday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. After Erie starter Carlos Pena
Bombs Away! Three Curve Homers Sink SeaWolves
CURVE, Pa. – Jack Brannigan, Imanol Vargas and Hudson Head each homered in Altoona’s 10-6 win over the Erie SeaWolves in front of 5,679 fans on Thursday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Altoona took their first lead with a three-run third inning. After Brannigan’s two-run shot tied the game
Sixth Inning Sinks Curve
CURVE, Pa. – Despite building an early 2-0 lead, Altoona dropped a 5-2 decision to the Erie SeaWolves on Wednesday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The Curve have dropped seven of their last eight games and are now 25-34 on the season. Altoona scored the first two runs of
Erie Arms Silence Altoona Bats
Four Erie pitchers combined on a four-hit shutout of Altoona on Tuesday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The SeaWolves earned a 3-0 win over the Curve in the series opener. After earning four hits in their first three innings at the plate, the Curve offense was unable to generate
Curve Blast Fisher Cats in Series Finale
MANCHESTER, NH – Altoona salvaged the final game of their six-game series at New Hampshire with a 11-5 win over the Fisher Cats on Sunday afternoon at Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester. The win broke a five-game losing streak for the Curve. Quiet all week, the Curve offense broke out
Curve Swept Away In Saturday Doubleheader
MANCHESTER, NH – Altoona’s losing streak stretched to five games as they were swept in a doubleheader by the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, 4-0 and 5-2, on Saturday night at Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester. Altoona was shut out for a franchise-record fourth consecutive game in the opener of the
Bats Quiet Again in 2-0 Defeat
MANCHESTER, NH – Altoona was shutout for their third consecutive game at New Hampshire, falling 2-0 on Thursday night at Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester. It is the first time since August 2-4, 2021 that the Curve have been held without a run in three straight nine inning games. Fisher
Curve Shutout by Fisher Cats on Wednesday Night
MANCHESTER, NH – Despite another strong night from the Altoona pitching staff, the Curve dropped a 3-0 decision to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Wednesday night at Delta Dental Stadium in New Hampshire. Jarod Bayless started the bullpen day for the Curve and was touched for three runs in
Jebb, Cimillo Combine for Four Hits in Series Opening Defeat
MANCHESTER, NH – Mitch Jebb and Nick Cimillo combined for four of Altoona’s five hits in a 4-0 loss to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Tuesday night at Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester. Alessandro Ercolani dueled away with Fisher Cats starter Ryan Watson for the first four innings on
Johnson, Ross Lead Comeback Win, 7-5
CURVE, Pa. – For a second straight game, Altoona rallied from a late-inning deficit and earned a victory against the Portland Sea Dogs. The 7-5 win for the Curve ensured a series split with the Boston Red Sox affiliate. Termarr Johnson highlighted the comeback with a massive two-run shot in
Dixon’s Walk-off Bomb Highlights 9-7 Win
CURVE, Pa. – After dropping the resumed suspended game, 9-3, Altoona rallied from a 5-0 deficit after the top of the first inning in the nightcap and earned a 9-7 walk-off win over the Portland Sea Dogs. The Curve are 2-3 this week against Portland and can earn a series
Sea Dogs and Curve Suspended in Fifth Inning
CURVE, Pa. – Altoona and Portland were suspended in the fifth inning of their game on Friday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The teams will pick up the suspended game on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and play it to its completion before playing a 7-inning game. Altoona trails the
‘Dogs Sweep Curve In Thursday Doubleheader
CURVE, Pa. – Portland completed a doubleheader sweep of the Curve on Thursday night, 3-0 and 9-6, at Peoples Natural Gas Field. After Thursday’s game, Altoona’s record stands at 22-26. GAME ONE Portland’s David Sandlin tossed a three-hit shutout to lead the Sea Dogs to a 3-0 win over the
Curve Buried At Sea By The Dogs
CURVE, Pa. – Wednesday night’s game between Altoona and Portland was postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up on Thursday, May 29, at Peoples Natural Gas Field with a doubleheader consisting of a pair of 7-inning games beginning at 5:00 p.m. Fans holding tickets to Wednesday’s
Cimillo’s Homer Leads Series Opening Win
CURVE, Pa. – Nick Cimillo knocked his second home run of the season as Altoona defeated the Portland Sea Dogs, 4-2, on Tuesday night to begin the week at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Cimillo knocked the solo shot in the seventh inning odd Sea Dogs reliever Jonathan Brand. The Curve
Curve Split Sunday Doubleheader in Akron
AKRON, Ohio – After dropping the first four games of the week in Akron, the Curve split a doubleheader on Sunday night to the RubberDucks at Canal Park, taking game one 1-0 before falling in game two 5-4. GAME ONE Altoona was held scoreless over the first five innings of
Peterson Powers RubberDucks to Second-Consecutive Shutout Win Over Altoona
AKRON, Ohio – For the second game in a row, Altoona was shutout by the Akron RubberDucks on Saturday night at Canal Park, falling by a final of 10-0. Austin Peterson was dominant for Akron, spinning seven scoreless innings and allowing just three hits with four strikeouts. He retired the
Curve Swept in Doubleheader by 'Ducks
AKRON, Ohio – After two nights of rainouts, the Curve managed just five hits over two games of a doubleheader on Friday night as the Akron RubberDucks took both games by finals of 6-3 and 5-0 at Canal Park. GAME ONE Alessandro Ercolani gave up a season-high six runs on
RubberDucks Sneak Past Curve in Tuesday Morning Defeat
AKRON, Ohio – Kervin Pichardo knocked an RBI-double for the Curve in the eighth inning, but Altoona stranded 10 runners on base in a 3-1 loss to the Akron RubberDucks at Canal Park on Tuesday morning. Altoona’s offense was held to just two hits and no walks against Akron starter
Curve and RubberDucks Postponed for Second-Consecutive Night
AKRON, Ohio – The Altoona Curve and Akron RubberDucks were rained out for the second day in-a-row on Thursday night at Canal Park. The game will be made up as a doubleheader on Sunday, May 25 with game one beginning at 4:05 p.m. The night will consist of two seven
Curve and RubberDucks Rained Out on Wednesday Night
AKRON, Ohio – The Altoona Curve and Akron RubberDucks were rained out on Wednesday night at Canal Park. The game will be made up as a doubleheader on Friday, May 23 with game one beginning at 5:05 p.m. The night will consist of two seven inning games. Altoona is 20-20
Senators Snag Series Finale in Altoona
CURVE, Pa. – Jack Brannigan stretched his on-base streak to 23 games on Sunday night with a two-hit performance for the Curve, but Altoona could not hold off the Harrisburg Senators in a 6-4 loss at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Harrisburg capitalized early with a first inning grand slam from
Jarvis, Jebb Jam Senators
Mitch Jebb and Mike Jarvis each picked up three hits in an 8-4 for the Curve over the Harrisburg Senators in front of 4,737 fans at Peoples Natural Gas Field on Saturday night. Altoona earned a series win over the Senators, picking up their fourth win in five games this