Around the Curve | Gourson Brings Winning Mentality to Curve Clubhouse

Spend any amount of time around Curve infielder Duce Gourson and it becomes clear why the Pittsburgh Pirates selected him in the ninth round of the 2024 draft out of UCLA. Gourson, a career second baseman, brings a cool California attitude into the clubhouse, but a laser-focused demeanor on the field with his focus on winning. Gourson’s arrival in Altoona last June inspired a run of winning that culminated in the Curve’s first playoff appearance since 2018.

“It’s been really good vibes here,” Gourson shared with the Curve Radio Network, flown by Contour Airlines, last September in the final week of the regular season. “We’ve just been trying to carry what we were doing down in Greensboro to start the year. We didn’t experience a lot of losing when we were there and it’s been really refreshing to be around a bunch of guys that want to win and are motivated to the team goal.”

Gourson finished the 2025 season in a flourish, earning Eastern League Player of the Week honors in the final week of the regular season when he hit .417 against the Erie SeaWolves.

While he was in a great groove at the plate, Gourson put in significant time with Curve Manager Andy Fox and Bench Coach Gary Green on improving his defensive versatility. Prior to his arrival in Altoona, the San Diego-native had pretty much only played second base.

With Termarr Johnson holding down the position for the Curve, Gourson began to learn two new positions; third base and first base. The defensive versatility for Gourson will give him ample opportunities to contribute to winning. With his sweet lefty stroke and efficiency on the base paths (he was 30-for-33 stealing bases in 2025 between Greensboro and Altoona and was named the organization’s Omar Moreno Baserunner of the Year), the Pirates believe Gourson can become a key contributor to winning in Pittsburgh.

Heading into 2026, Gourson holds a key role at the top of the Curve batting order and is relied upon to jump start the team’s offense. The significant offensive burden is nothing new, he’s long been on the of the best players on his teams that he’s played for throughout his life, he is fortunate to have two ace infield instructors to help him become a more polished defender at third and first.

“There’s no manager I’d rather play for than Andy Fox,” Gourson shared with local media on the Curve’s media day before the season. With Fox’s experience as a utility player throughout his major league career, there may be no better teacher.