Around the Curve | Curve in the Majors - Vol. 3
CURVE, PA. – Altoona has been a pipeline to the Major Leagues for nearly 26 years, with the current alumni count at 215 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 215 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 the third edition of: “Curve in the Majors.”
1. OF/INF - Ji-Hwan Bae - Pittsburgh Pirates
Season Stats: .267, 6 Games, 4 Hits, 2 RBIs, 2 SB
As previously said in our last article, Ji-Hwan Bae has been on an absolute rampage when it comes to hitting as of late. Before his call-up earlier this week, he left Indianapolis with an attention-grabbing batting average of .367 and an OPS of 1.030. With the addition of Bae’s quick swing and feet, it becomes safe to say that his name is very welcome in the Buccos lineup.
As of writing, Bae has made six appearances, with a .267 avg. He is coming off of a two-hit game in the back end of a doubleheader on Wednesday in Detroit and providing the Pirates depth with his infield and outfield capabilities.
Bae played for the Curve in the 2021 season, where he appeared in a lineup with such names as Oneil Cruz, Mason Martin, Rodolfo Castro, and Roansy Contreras. During his time in Altoona, Bae finished with the grand stat line of .278 avg, 89 Hits, 7 HRs, 31 RBIs, and 20 SBs.
2. INF - Josh Bell - Miami Marlins
Season Stats: .242, 57 games, 6HRs, 27 RBIs, .317 OBP
Former Pirates slugger Josh Bell has bounced around the Major Leagues since being traded to the Nationals in late December of 2020 in the Juan Soto trade. It should be noted that this trade was not only how RHP Wil Crowe ended up in the Pirates Organization, but also how current RHP Eddy Yean made it to the Curve.
Since arriving with the Marlins, Bell has been one of their more consistent batters in the sometimes-struggling starting lineup. For example, he’s batting .316 in the last 25 games played with the Marlins to lead the active roster. Alongside that, Bell is currently second for Miami with 27 RBIs.
Bell suited up for two partial seasons with the Curve, hitting for a career .303 avg. in Altoona. During his time with the ball club, he was considered one of the Pirates’ top prospects, only taking two years to reach the majors in 2016.
3. OF - Starling Marte - New York Mets
Season Stats: .267, 52 games, 6 HRs, 19 RBIs, 9 SB
Another former Pittsburgh Pirate power hitter and fan-favorite Starling Marte has also traveled around the Major Leagues. After being traded from the Pirates to the Arizona Diamondbacks where the Pirates acquired Liover Peguero, Marte has found successful stints with such ball clubs as the Miami Marlins, Oakland Athletics, and current ball club the New York Mets.
Following his 2022 arrival in New York, Marte finished within the top five Mets of batting averages earning himself a second all-star selection. Since then, he’s spent his 2023 consistently fighting off the injury bug but still was able to collect a .248 AVG in his 86 game appearances. Marte has returned to his old hitting ways this season, hammering an excellent .267 AVG at the plate with a pleasing .314 OBP.
Marte is considered one of the all-time greats when it comes to Curve Alumni. Marte joined the Curve in the summer of 2011, the year after the Curve won their first Eastern League title. While with the Curve, Marte brought home a handful of awards such as Eastern League Rookie of the Year, Eastern League Postseason All-Star, an Eastern League All-Star selection, and even being selected for the Futures Game during the MLB All-Star weekend. Marte played 129 games during his 2011 campaign with the Curve, finishing with one of the all-best batting averages in franchise history with a .332 average, putting him tied for third all-time.
4. INF- Nick Gonzales - Pittsburgh Pirates
Season Stats: .313 AVG, 18 games, 3 HRs, 16 RBIs
Lately, Nick Gonzales has been exactly what the doctor ordered for the Pirates' starting lineup. Before being called up to the Majors, Gonzales was on an absolute tear throughout the International League with the Indianapolis Indians. Within his last 30 games with Indy, he hit an outrageous .358 AVG with four home runs, 19 RBI, and 13 drawn walks.
Gonzales has done anything but slow down with the Pirates. In his last 18 starts, he’s already stolen multiple bases and hit a couple of home runs. This great start has shown manager Derek Shelton all he needs to see to consistently put Gonzales in the lineup.
With the Curve, Gonzales showed much of his potential early on. During the 2022 season, he hit a consistent .263 batting average, seven home runs, and 33 RBIs. This impressive performance helped him stand out in an already stacked lineup of future Pittsburgh Pirates, such as Endy Rodriguez, Jack Suwinski, Tucupita Marcano, and Jared Triolo.
Other Notes:
- Where do we begin with Matt Gorski? Like many others in Indy, He’s been completely dominant in the International League. His time with the Indians has been well-spent, within his last 15 games Gorski has racked up a solid .296 batting average along with eight home runs and five drawn walks.
- Liover Peguero has been swinging a hot bat lately, collecting a pleasing .274 avg. Along with that impressive feat, he’s also collected five stolen bases and 31 RBIs
- Beau Sulser is currently with the Buffalo Bisons, the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, and he recently got into a pitching duel against his brother Cole on Syracuse Mets—the results ended with each striking out a pair. Beau spent parts of two seasons with the Curve, in 2019 and 2023.
Stay tuned all season long for more exciting content on the Around the Curve Blog!
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
Curve Mascot LOCO Nominated for Mascot Hall of Fame
CURVE, PA – Everyone’s favorite mascot, LOCO, has been nominated to the Mascot Hall of Fame’s 2025 class. Voting opens May 11th at mascothalloffame.com and runs through May 24th. The 2025 inductees will be announced in June. To see the ballot and vote for LOCO, click here. Each of the