Around the Curve | Curve in the Majors - Vol. 4
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 succeeding at the next level and reflect on their time with the Curve, here on the Around the Curve Blog! Here is the fourth edition of: “Curve in the Majors.”
1. RHP - Tyler Glasnow - Los Angeles Dodgers
Season Stats: 6-5, 3.24 ERA, 14 Games (14 Starts) 86 IP, 24 BBs, 116 Ks
Where do we start on Tyler Glasnow? While he didn't make the biggest splashes career-wise with the Curve, he has become one of the more successful players to leave Altoona. Drafted straight out of high school, many scouts and prospect evaluators alike saw the great potential of the young right-hander. When he entered the Major Leagues with the Pirates, he was considered part of the potential young core for a playoff run in 2016 and beyond. However, a few years later, Glasnow became a key piece in the 2018 trade that ultimately led to the Pirates acquiring Chris Archer.
Six years later, Glasnow faced the Pirates for the first time in his career last Tuesday. While he did not receive a win in a 1-0 defeat, he did strike out nine batters while also giving up the one earned run on three hits and two walks.
While suiting up for the Pirates, he appeared in 56 total games with 17 starts. After being traded, Glasnow’s arm truly lit up. His time in Tampa was well spent; as a starting pitcher, he won a total of 27 games in 71 starts as a Ray. Glasnow pitched a total of 386.7 innings, striking out 526 batters and only allowing four total home runs during his entire regular season stint with the team for six years.
However, in late December of last year, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded RHP Ryan Pepiot and OF Jonny DeLuca to the Tampa Bay Rays for RHP Tyler Glasnow, CF Manuel Margot, and cash. Since starting in Los Angeles, he’s dazzled Dodgers fans. So far during his 2024 campaign, Glasnow has tossed 86 complete innings. In those 86 innings, he struck out 116 batters.
During his time with the Curve in 2015, Glasnow highlighted his unique arm in a short time frame. While starting for Altoona, he made 12 starts before being called up to Triple-A Indianapolis. In those starts, he tossed a total of 63 innings, struck out 82 batters, and had an ERA of 2.43.
2. INF - Kevin Newman - Arizona Diamondbacks
Season Stats: .278 AVG, 51 games, 2 HRs, 16 RBIs, .392 SLG
Kevin Newman is another former big-name prospect from the Pirates farm system that came up during the wild card runs from 2013 to 2015. Newman has been around the National League since leaving Pittsburgh in a trade with the Reds in the winter of 2022. After joining Cincinnati for a brief stint, he joined the Arizona Diamondbacks via free agency in the off-season of 2023. Since then, Newman has never looked back and kept producing at the plate. With the Diamondbacks this year, Newman has become a reliable hitter. He’s been hitting around his career batting average mark of .260 with a current average of .266. This season he also has 14 RBIs, two home runs, and seven drawn walks.
With the Curve, Newman had two stints with the team between 2016 and the year the Curve won the Eastern League Championship in 2017. During his time in Altoona, he had a career batting average of .271 and appeared in a total of 143 games. During those 143 games, he compiled 58 RBIs and 156 hits with an overall OPS of .697. It is worth noting Newman contributed greatly to the Curve during their playoff run in 2016, stringing together a .538 batting average with an equally impressive OBP of .571.
3. INF - Ke’Bryan Hayes - Pittsburgh Pirates
Season Stats: .240 Avg., 46 Games, 2 HRs, 15 RBIs, .312 OBP
If you had to make a list of notable Curve alumni, Ke’Bryan Hayes would at least be worthy of an honorable mention in stats and as an overall fan favorite. Son of former Major League and former Pirate slugger Charlie Hayes, it’s safe to say that “young Hayes” has made an impact anywhere he’s played baseball.
While Hayes is just now becoming fully healthy at the time of writing this, there shouldn't be a doubt in any Pirates fan's mind that he doesn't contribute daily to the Pirates offense and defense. This season Hayes has appeared in 46 games, with a .240 batting average, .626 OPS, and four stolen bases.
Where do we start with Hayes and his Curve career? Those who were able to watch him during his 2018 campaign will understand the impressiveness he carried to every at-bat in Altoona. In the summer of ‘18, Hayes hit.293 with an impressive .444 slugging percentage. While the Curve didn't bring home any trophies during his time in Altoona, Hayes successfully snatched up a Golden Glove for his heroic efforts at third base. It should also be noted that during the 2018 season, Hayes was not only voted an Eastern League mid-season all-star but was also selected for the Futures Game.
4. INF/OF - Connor Joe - Pittsburgh Pirates
Season Stats: .255 AVG, 60 games, 7 HRs, 28 RBIs, .426 SLG
Speaking of Curve Alumni who played on the 2017 championship team, Connor Joe had a productive cup of coffee while in Altoona for half of the season. Joe was only with the Curve for 73 games because he was part of a trade with the Atlanta Braves. In exchange for Joe, the Pirates received utility player Sean Rodriguez. However, he would ultimately find himself back in the organization after being traded from the Colorado Rockies in December of 2022.
Joe has been one of the more consistent batters this season in the Pittsburgh lineup. He was originally normally batting lead-off, until yielding to Andrew McCutchen and instead took the clean-up spot. Since then, Joe hasn't slowed down his production. Since early April, he’s been swinging a scorching bat, currently bringing him to a batting average of .255. While that batting average is impressive alone, Joe backs up his usefulness at the plate with his seven home runs, 28 RBIs, and 21 drawn walks.
Other Notes:
- Joshua Palacios has been lighting up the scoreboard on his rehab assignment with the Greensboro Grasshoppers. In the four games he’s appeared in, He’s batted a solid batting average of .231 with three hits for four RBIs including his two home runs.
- Former Curve Pitcher LHP Trey McGough is now with the Norfolk Tides, the Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, after opening the season with the Bowie Baysox. Since being called up, he’s appeared in five games and pitched 12.2 innings. Along with that, he’s recorded one win with a 3.55 ERA with 15 strikeouts.
- Former Curve INF Josh Bissonette is currently with the Kansas City Monarchs affiliate of the American Association Baseball League. Since joining the team in early May, he’s hit a solid .276 Avg with seven drawn walks, nine RBIs, and seven doubles.
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