Around the Curve | Curve in the Majors - Vol. 5
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 fifth edition of: “Curve in the Majors.”
1. INF - Oneil Cruz - Pittsburgh Pirates
Season Stats: .246 AVG, 66 games, 9HRs, 30RBIs, .423 SLG
Where do we even start to describe that star power that is Oneil Cruz? From highlight reels to breaking stat cast records, very few things seem to be impossible for this young slugger. Since being acquired in the Tony Watson trade in July of 2017, he’s done everything he’s been expected to do and so much more. Since joining the Pirates in Pittsburgh that toasty October night, he’s hit a solid .240 batting average with 149 hits and 91 RBIs.
This year, Cruz has picked up where he left off after his short season last year due to an injury. Since Opening Day he’s been raking at the plate, hitting for a .246 batting average with a .719 OPS. Even as recently as the last ten games, Cruz is currently leading the team in RBIs and is constantly within the top five of the other most important categories such as OBP, SLG, and OPS.
While Cruz spent the better part of three years in Altoona, it was easy to notice the potential he had. Standing at a whopping six feet and seven inches, he towered over almost any opposing pitcher he faced in the Eastern League. From 2019 to 2021, Cruz batted a career average of .285 with 13 home runs and 57 RBIs. Unsurprisingly, he was named a postseason All-Star in the Eastern League during his time on the team.
2. RHP - Carmen Mlodzinski - Pittsburgh Pirates
Major League Stats: 1-2, 4.42 ERA, 13 Games ( 2 Starts) 18.1 IP, 9BBs, 17Ks
Former Altoona Curve starting pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski has become a critical piece in the Pirates bullpen, coming in during high-stakes moments and serving the purpose of getting out of any jam he’s placed in. Last year, he was considered to be one of the shining stars to make the successful jump from starter to reliever that year.
As previously mentioned Mlodzinski has been one of those relievers that would come in during the middle of the game when stakes are high. But recently he’s been given the “opener” rule when deemed necessary. His 2024 campaign so far has been a success, starting two of the 13 games he’s appeared in this season. Within that handful of games, Mlodzinski has tossed 18.1 innings allowing 12 runs on 16 hits, bringing his ERA to 4.42 overall. However, he has blossomed over his last eight appearances, allowing just one earned run over 11.2 IP with 12 strikeouts.
Mlodzinski was one of the stronger pitchers for the Curve during the 2022 season, starting 22 of the 27 games he appeared in. Within that almost full season of appearances, he came in second with six wins and eight losses. He also recorded 111 strikeouts while only walking 40 batters the entire season.
3. INF - Adam Frazier - Kansas City Royals
Season Stats: .208 AVG, 56 games, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs, .595 OPS
A one-time All-Star, Adam Frazier was drafted by Pittsburgh in the sixth round of the 2013 MLB Draft. He earned a spot in the All-Star game in 2021 as a Pirate. However, just a few weeks after the All-Star game, Frazier would be dealt to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Cash and Altoona Curve alums Tucupita Marcano and Jack Suwinski.
While Frazier has been in the majors for almost a decade now, he’s still finding ways to produce at the plate. Since joining the Royals in the early months of 2024, he’s been known as a reliable bench player who can pinch hit whenever necessary. This season he’s knocked a dependable .208 batting average with ten RBIs and seven doubles.
Frazier’s Curve career is often overlooked when it comes to dominant players of recent memory. While he never set or broke any record in Altoona, he still constructed a very impressive stat line. During the 103 games he appeared in, he punched an imposing .324 batting average along with a satisfactory OPS of .800. It should also be noted that during this time, he was named a mid-season Eastern League All-Star.
Other Notes:
- Braxton Ashcraft has taken like a fish to water in Triple-A Indianapolis, Since being promoted earlier this month, he has tossed just over 10 innings of one-run baseball with eight strikeouts.
- Cal Mitchell is still hitting a hot bat but now with El Paso Chihuahuas, who are the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. This season so far, he’s recorded a stat line of .266 Avg, 9 HR, and 26 RBIs with an 862 OPS.
- The Cinderella story continues for Drew Maggi, now with the Staten Island FerryHawks in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Maggi, who took the baseball world by storm last season when he made his Major League debut, smacked his first home run since 2021 this month and has three on the season in 24 games, showing that he still has it at 35 years old.
Stay tuned all season long for more exciting content on the Around the Curve Blog!
Here are the weirdest plays and stats from MiLB in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Podcast features first-base promotions for Caglianone, Eldridge
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Cubs' Rojas, Mets' Tong headline May's Minor League Players of the Month
Minor League Baseball announced the Player and Pitcher of the Month Award winners for May in Major League Baseball’s player development system.
Minor League Baseball, Joe Torre Safe At Home partnership enters ninth year
For the ninth year, Minor League Baseball and Joe Torre Safe At Home have teamed up to raise awareness about violence and abuse and to inspire fans of all ages to join them in SAH’s critical work. This year, 63 MiLB teams will participate in an in-ballpark initiative from May
MiLB podcast discusses Anthony, Caglianone at Triple-A
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
These are the greatest Minor League promos happening in June
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
New playoff format coming to 2025 Dominican Summer League
Minor League Baseball announced the 2025 Dominican Summer League (DSL) season will begin June 2 with Opening Day festivities taking place at the Boston Red Sox Academy in Guerra. The 2025 campaign will also see the introduction of the DSL Cup, a new playoff format that will see 16 DSL
Debating best Minor League home caps on podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
The Omaha Storm Chasers' 'Take Meow-t' cat night included a Litter Box Sundae
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Boston's Triple-A affiliate throws birthday bash for Roman Anthony
With all the hype that has surrounded Roman Anthony over the past two seasons, it’s easy to forget how young he really is. MLB's No. 1 prospect played 70 games at the highest level of the Minors before he could order a beer. But he can now. Roman Anthony turned
Friendly foes, 2024 first-rounders Moore and Caglianone trade first Triple-A homers
For years, Christian Moore and Jac Caglianone laced up their cleats against one another in the SEC. A rivalry that spanned Florida, Tennessee and other landmarks across the South moved to Salt Lake City this week as the Royals and Angels' top prospects got simultaneous Triple-A promotions. So it was
Phillies' Moore, Fausnaught join MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Red Sox prospect rips double THROUGH Fenway-esque scoreboard
Red Sox No. 4 prospect Franklin Arias, an infielder for High-A Greenville, REALLY didn’t want to let visiting Asheville score any runs in the top of the eighth inning on Friday night. With runners on first and second base in the bottom of the fourth, Arias showed he apparently held
April's hottest hitting prospects -- one for each organization
The Minor League season is a month old and several of the game's best hitting prospects are off to fast starts. Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is tearing up Triple-A (just like he did at the end of last year), Padres shortstop Leo De Vries is leading the High-A Midwest
Check out the best -- and wackiest -- Minor League promos happening in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Orioles' Honeycutt joins The Show Before the Show
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
MiLB podcast coming LIVE to a Somerset this June
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's