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!
Pirates Reveal 2025 Altoona Curve Break Camp Roster
CURVE, PA – The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Friday an initial list of 29 players reporting to Altoona for the 2025 season. The player list features five players that are ranked in the Pirates Top 30 prospects by MLB.com, including two in the Top 10 and one player ranked among the
Altoona Curve Announce 2025 Promotional Schedule
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Altoona Curve Announces Return of “Pints for Vets” Tasting Event
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve are excited to announce the return of Pints for Vets, presented by Ward Trucking. The beer, wine, & spirits sampling event will be held at Peoples Natural Gas Field on Saturday, June 28, with proceeds benefiting Band of Heroes Outdoors, a nonprofit organization that
Altoona Curve Announce New Changes at Peoples Natural Gas Field for the 2025 Season
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve are excited to announce the newest staff additions and stadium policies at Peoples Natural Gas Field that will be put in place for the 2025 season, presented by Stuckey Automotive. “It is hard to believe that the offseason has flown by already,” said Curve
SportsNet Pittsburgh To Air 20 Curve Games at PNG Field During 2025 Campaign
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve are pleased to announce that 20 home games during the 2025 season will air on SportsNet Pittsburgh. “We are so really looking forward to expanding our partnership with SportsNet Pittsburgh to air more Altoona Curve games this season,” said Curve General Manager Nate Bowen.
Pirates Spring Breakout Game to be Broadcasted on Curve Radio Network
BRADENTON, Fla. – The Altoona Curve is excited to announce that the Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Breakout Game will be broadcasted live on the Fly Altoona Curve Radio Network on Friday, March 14 at 1:05 p.m. from Clearwater, Florida. Fans can listen to the game on 96.1 Hank-FM, Pirates.com, the MLB
Around the Curve | Eight Former Curve Named to Pirates Spring Breakout Roster
CURVE, PA. – MLB's annual prospect Showcase, the Spring Breakout game, will pit top Pirates minor league prospects against top Phillies prospects on Friday, March 14 at 1:05 p.m. at Clearwater's Baycare Ballpark, home of the Philadelphia Phillies. (Info). The Pirates vs. Phillies game will be broadcast nationally on MLB
Andy Fox Named Altoona Curve Manager for 2025 Season
CURVE, PA – The Pittsburgh Pirates and Altoona Curve are pleased to announce the 2025 Coaching Staff for the upcoming season in Curve, PA, headlined by new manager Andy Fox. “I am thrilled to welcome Andy Fox and his staff to Curve, PA for the 2025 season,” said Curve General
Curve Accepting Nominations for 1st Summit Bank Teachers of the Year to be Honored on Teacher Appreciation Night
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve are excited to announce the opening of the 2025 1st Summit Bank Teachers of the Year Competition. Three nominated teachers will be named Teachers of the Year with a special on-field ceremony on Teacher Appreciation Night, presented by 1st Summit Bank, on Saturday, May
Third Year of Curve Charities Generates Over $84,000 in Donations to Area Non-Profits
CURVE, PA – Altoona Curve Charities, a 501c3 organization dedicated to supporting local youth programs and organizations that promote exercise, health, activity and education for the betterment of youth and community, is pleased to announce recipients of grant money and in-kind services for the 2024 grant cycle. The 2024 grant
CurveFest Returns to Peoples Natural Gas Field on March 1
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve are pleased to announce the return of CurveFest, presented by Ravine, on Saturday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A spring celebration of Curve Baseball at CurveFest will give fans their first opportunity to purchase single-game tickets, and the first 200 fans
Curve to Host Promotional Calendar Kick-Off Event at Levity Brewing Company
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve are pleased to announce a brand new kick off event to reveal the 2025 Promotional Schedule, inviting fans to join them on Monday, February 24 at Levity Brewing Company in Altoona for First Pitch: A 2025 Season Preview. The February First Pitch event is
Curve Charities Gala Set to Return on Saturday, February 8
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Around the Curve | Paul Skenes Wins Rookie of the Year Award
CURVE, Pa. – Paul Skenes has gone from college phenom to rookie sensation in a year’s time, and the accolades are just beginning to pile up. After a dominant campaign that stacks up as one of the best rookie seasons by a pitcher in Major League history, Skenes has been
Around the Curve | Jared Triolo Wins First Gold Glove Award
CURVE, Pa. – In 2022, Jared Triolo took the field in his Altoona Curve uniform to accept his Rawlings Minor League Gold Glove Award for his fantastic infield play at Greensboro in 2021. Next season, he will repeat the action in his Pittsburgh Pirates uniform. Triolo was named the winner
Curve Announce 2025 Game Times and Fireworks Dates at Peoples Natural Gas Field
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve, Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, are pleased to announce home game times and fireworks dates for the 2025 season. Game times are subject to change. The 2025 season will once again feature 6:00 p.m. start times for many of the team’s home games
Curve Charities Grant Program Accepting Grant Applications for 2024
CURVE, PA – Altoona Curve Charities, a 501c3 organization devoted to supporting local youth programs and organizations, is pleased to announce that Grant Applications for the 2024 Grant Program are available now to area non-profits that promote healthy living for the betterment of youth and community. The 2024 Grant Program
Curve Announce 2024 Team Awards
CURVE, PA – Prior to their penultimate game of the season on Saturday night the Curve honored four players with their annual team awards. Infielder Kervin Pichardo was named the team’s Most Valuable Player for 2024. Bubba Chandler was named the team’s Pitcher of the Year, Eddy Yean was named
Bowen and Wilson Go Back-to-Back In Finale Win
CURVE, Pa. – Jase Bowen and Eli Wilson banged back-to-back home runs to lead Altoona to a 5-1 win over Richmond in front of 4,330 fans on Sunday afternoon at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Jaycob Deese started a bullpen day for the Curve and went three innings allowing only one
Curve Fall in Penultimate Game of the Season
CURVE, Pa. – Jase Bowen hit his ninth home run of the season for the Curve on Saturday night, but the Richmond Flying Squirrels snapped Altoona’s three-game winning streak with a 7-2 defeat of the Curve at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The Curve welcomed 7,027 fans to PNG Field on
Third Straight Win Highlighted by Ten Late Runs
CURVE, Pa. – The Curve scored ten unanswered runs to complete a comeback win, 10-3, over the Richmond Flying Squirrels in front of 4,947 fans at Peoples Natural Gas Field on Friday night. Trailing 3-0 in the sixth, the Curve scored their first two runs of the night on a
Curve Offense Capitalizes Off Squirrels Miscues
CURVE, Pa. – The Curve picked up a second straight win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Thursday night in front of 3,814 fans at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez went 1-for-4 in his third game on major league rehab assignment, catching seven innings in the field.
Bowen and Dixon Lead Late Rally Over Squirrels
CURVE, Pa. – Altoona won a wild back-and-forth affair, 8-7, over the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Wednesday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez doubled in his first at-bat of the night and scored the game’s first run in the bottom of the first. Rodriguez went 1-for-5
Squirrels Fly Past Curve in Series Opener
CURVE, Pa. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels took advantage of four Curve errors to take a 6-2 win over the Curve on Tuesday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez went 0-for-3 in his first game on rehab assignment. Rodriguez caught five innings in the field before
Pirates Catcher Endy Rodriguez Scheduled to Rehab with the Curve
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