Around the Curve | Curve in the Majors - Vol. 6
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 sixth edition of: “Curve in the Majors.”
1. OF - Bryan Reynolds - Pittsburgh Pirates
Season Stats: .279, 80 games, 13 HRs, 46 RBIs, 23-game hitting streak
What are two things that are constant in June? The heat and Bryan Reynolds getting a hit in each of his last 23 games. That’s right, you read that correctly. In the month of June, he has reached base safely 42 times! If that somehow didn't draw your attention, in June, Reynolds is currently leading the team in categories such as hits (33), total bases (60), RBI (16), SLG (.638), doubles (7) and home runs (6). Thanks in part to his clutch hitting and others around him rallying their bats, the Pirates currently find themselves just two games out of a wild card spot.
After being acquired in the Andrew McCutchen trade in 2017, Reynolds quickly made his way to the Curve roster. He went on to play 88 games with Altoona, dropping an impressive .302 average with seven home runs and 46 RBIs.
2. C - Jason Delay - Pittsburgh Pirates
Season Stats: .200, 7 games, 3 2B, 6 RBI
Jason Delay has once again found himself in the big leagues for a third straight year. While the catching situation has been an ever-moving player carousel, Delay looks to hold down the spot. Since being recently recalled just a few weeks ago, he’s found himself in the lineup for a total of seven games. Within the seven games, he’s appeared in, he’s slashed a total of six hits giving himself a crisp batting average of .200. On Tuesday, he knocked two doubles in a big win over the Reds.
While he wasn't in Altoona for an entire season, Delay was still involved a great deal with the Curve throughout the 2019,2021, and 2022 seasons. Throughout his 86-game appearances delay was able to knock 62 hits for a batting average of.208. Outside of that, he was able to compile 40 RBIs and eight home runs.
3. RHP - Luis Ortiz - Pittsburgh Pirates
Season Stats: 4-2 3.23 ERA, 22 Games ( 1 Start) 53 IP, 18 BB, 43 K
Luis Ortiz is coming off his best outing of the year with a season-long six-inning start on Wednesday, June 26. During the start versus the Cincinnati Reds, he was able to strike out seven batters along with allowing one run on four hits. Outside of that start, Ortiz has become a solid pitcher for the Pirates. This season he's appeared in 22 games, repping a 3.23 ERA with 43 strikeouts.
Ortiz was one of many big arms on Altoona’s pitching staff in 2022, along with Mike Borrows and Quinn Priester. That season, Ortiz was able to collect five wins and struck out 126 batters in 114.1 innings pitched, the most by a Curve arm that year.
4. C - Elias Díaz- Colorado Rockies
Season Stats: .303 AVG, 55 games, 5 HRs, 28 RBIs, .352 OBP
Former Pirates prospect and Curve catcher Elias Díaz has been on fire lately, especially in June. While he hasn't been in a Pirate uniform for quite some time, he’s still gone on to make a solid career for himself. Being signed as a free agent in 2009, he went on to bounce around the Pirates organization until leaving in 2019 for free agency. Quickly after leaving Pittsburgh, he signed with the Colorado Rockies to a minor league deal. Diaz has since become the starting catcher in Colorado and made his first All-Star game in 2023.
This season Díaz has been swinging a career-high .303 batting average. As previously mentioned in June, he’s hitting .357 with a .419 OBP and a .536 SLG making it the best month of his long baseball career. Outside of the month of June, Díaz has been rocking a credible .303 batting average with 12 doubles and 28 RBIs.
Díaz spent the better part of the 2014 season in Altoona, along with a brief rehab assistant in 2016. During his time with the Curve, he made sure to make a dent in the record books. During his ‘16 campaign, he was able to string along a .328 batting average, which is good for third all-time in Curve franchise history (minimum 300 plate appearances.) Outside of a record-setting average, he was able to collect 52 RBIs his entire Curve career.
Other Notes:
- Mike Burrows has begun a rehab assignment with Low-A Bradenton. The right-hander is looking to return from Tommy John Surgery that ended his 2023 season prematurely.
- Nick Dombkowski is staying consistent a month after being called up from Double-A Altoona. Within that month, Dombkowski was able to collect two wins with a 3.96 ERA and 21 strikeouts.
- Former Curve Pitcher Omar Cruz has become a reliable bullpen pitcher for Double-A San Antonio Missions, an Affiliate of the San Diego Padres. This season he’s found himself with three wins and 60 strikeouts in 18 appearances.
- Drew Maggi's baseball story starts a new chapter! As of this week, he and the Detroit Tigers have agreed to a minor league deal. Previously with the Staten Island Ferry Hawks in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, Maggi suited up just 29 times with the team, earning 24 hits with three home runs.
Stay tuned all season long for more exciting content on the Around the Curve Blog!
Rail Kings Strike Out 14 in 6-4 Win
CURVE, PA – Playing as the Altoona Rail Kings, the Curve picked up a 6-4 win over the Somerset Patriots on Thursday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The Curve took advantage of three early Somerset errors to score five runs across their first two at-bats. Sammy Siani slammed a
Brannigan, Bowen Bash Patriots in 10-1 Win
CURVE, PA – Curve starter Hunter Barco continued his brilliant start to begin the season and got plenty of run support in a 10-1 win for the Curve over the Somerset Patriots on Wednesday afternoon at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Barco permitted just one walk and one hit in his
Patriots Take Series Opener From Curve
CURVE, PA – Altoona was held without a hit into the seventh inning by Somerset pitching, as the Curve dropped their series opener to the Patriots, 6-1, on Tuesday night at PNG Field. Alessandro Ercolani and Nick Dombkowski combined for six innings of two run ball, allowing just two solo
Curve Drop Series Finale in Akron
CURVE, PA – Altoona took a 13-1 loss in their series finale at Akron on Sunday afternoon at Canal Park. With the loss, Altoona’s record drops to 3-6. Termarr Johnson picked up two infield singles and a walk in five plate appearances as part of a six-hit day for the
RubberDucks Quack Curve Bullpen in Saturday Defeat
CURVE, PA – Anthony Solometo struck out five batters over five one-run innings in his second start of the season, but the Akron RubberDucks scored three runs off the Curve bullpen to hand Altoona a 4-3 loss on Saturday night at Canal Park. Solometo left the game after allowing just
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.
Bowen Bashes Three Hits in 8-1 Win
CURVE, PA – The Curve offense banged out ten hits and drew eight walks to push Altoona to an 8-1 win over the Akron RubberDucks on Friday night at Canal Park. Trailing 1-0 in the sixth inning, Altoona used a bases loaded walk from Shawn Ross and a wild pitch
Curve Pitching Strike Out 14 in Shutout Win
CURVE, PA – Hunter Barco, Valentin Linarez, Justin Meis, and Cam Sanders combined to produce the first shutout win of the season for Altoona on Thursday night, holding Akron to just three hits in a 2-0 Curve win at Canal Park. Barco matched his Double-A high with five strikeouts in
Tres Gonzalez Tosses Scoreless 8th Inning
CURVE, PA – Altoona dropped their second straight game at Canal Park on Wednesday night, falling 13-1 to the ‘Ducks. The Curve picked up their lone run in the second inning. Jack Brannigan led off the frame with a single and after a strikeout and a walk by Aaron McKeithan,
Late Rally From ‘Ducks Sinks Curve
CURVE, PA – Altoona scored a pair of first inning runs and led 5-2 after four innings, however, the Akron RubberDucks rallied for a 6-5 win over the Curve on Tuesday night at Canal Park. The Curve offense worked two walks and two hits off Akron starter Rorik Maltrud, plating
Sammy Slams Baysox In Sunday Win
CURVE, PA – Outfielder Sammy Siani’s two-run homer stood up as the only runs needed for the Curve in their series finale against Chesapeake as the Curve earned a 2-1 win over the Baysox on Sunday afternoon at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Anthony Solometo continued a solid run of pitching
Dotel Dazzles in Saturday Defeat
CURVE, PA – Making his Double-A debut, Curve starter Wilber Dotel tossed five scoreless innings, however, Altoona dropped their second straight game to the Chesapeake Baysox, 2-0, on Saturday evening at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Dotel allowed just two hits, did not walk a batter, and struck out four against
Baysox Swipe Opening Day Win From Curve
CURVE, PA – Brenden Dixon swatted a solo homer and the Curve drew seven walks, but dropped their Opening Day matchup with the Chesapeake Baysox, 3-2, on Friday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The Curve used three walks and a single to pick up the game’s first run in
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
CURVE, PA –The Altoona Curve are pleased to share the full 2025 promotional schedule, which will once again feature a theme or promotion for all 69 home games at Peoples Natural Gas Field! “After a long winter of work, we are excited to share the exciting promotional schedule for our
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
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
CURVE, PA –Altoona Curve Charities, a 501c3 organization, are pleased to announce the return of the Curve Charities Gala on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the Altoona Grand Hotel. The fundraiser features a special appearance from Curve alumnus and former Pittsburgh Pirate Ian Snell as well as a silent auction