Around the Curve | Curve in the Majors - Vol. 3

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 third edition of: “Curve in the Majors.”

1. OF/INF - Ji-Hwan Bae - Pittsburgh Pirates

Season Stats: .267, 6 Games, 4 Hits, 2 RBIs, 2 SB

As previously said in our last article, Ji-Hwan Bae has been on an absolute rampage when it comes to hitting as of late. Before his call-up earlier this week, he left Indianapolis with an attention-grabbing batting average of .367 and an OPS of 1.030. With the addition of Bae’s quick swing and feet, it becomes safe to say that his name is very welcome in the Buccos lineup.

As of writing, Bae has made six appearances, with a .267 avg. He is coming off of a two-hit game in the back end of a doubleheader on Wednesday in Detroit and providing the Pirates depth with his infield and outfield capabilities.

Bae played for the Curve in the 2021 season, where he appeared in a lineup with such names as Oneil Cruz, Mason Martin, Rodolfo Castro, and Roansy Contreras. During his time in Altoona, Bae finished with the grand stat line of .278 avg, 89 Hits, 7 HRs, 31 RBIs, and 20 SBs.

2. INF - Josh Bell - Miami Marlins

Season Stats: .242, 57 games, 6HRs, 27 RBIs, .317 OBP

Former Pirates slugger Josh Bell has bounced around the Major Leagues since being traded to the Nationals in late December of 2020 in the Juan Soto trade. It should be noted that this trade was not only how RHP Wil Crowe ended up in the Pirates Organization, but also how current RHP Eddy Yean made it to the Curve.

Since arriving with the Marlins, Bell has been one of their more consistent batters in the sometimes-struggling starting lineup. For example, he’s batting .316 in the last 25 games played with the Marlins to lead the active roster. Alongside that, Bell is currently second for Miami with 27 RBIs.

Bell suited up for two partial seasons with the Curve, hitting for a career .303 avg. in Altoona. During his time with the ball club, he was considered one of the Pirates’ top prospects, only taking two years to reach the majors in 2016.

3. OF - Starling Marte - New York Mets

Season Stats: .267, 52 games, 6 HRs, 19 RBIs, 9 SB

Another former Pittsburgh Pirate power hitter and fan-favorite Starling Marte has also traveled around the Major Leagues. After being traded from the Pirates to the Arizona Diamondbacks where the Pirates acquired Liover Peguero, Marte has found successful stints with such ball clubs as the Miami Marlins, Oakland Athletics, and current ball club the New York Mets.

Following his 2022 arrival in New York, Marte finished within the top five Mets of batting averages earning himself a second all-star selection. Since then, he’s spent his 2023 consistently fighting off the injury bug but still was able to collect a .248 AVG in his 86 game appearances. Marte has returned to his old hitting ways this season, hammering an excellent .267 AVG at the plate with a pleasing .314 OBP.

Marte is considered one of the all-time greats when it comes to Curve Alumni. Marte joined the Curve in the summer of 2011, the year after the Curve won their first Eastern League title. While with the Curve, Marte brought home a handful of awards such as Eastern League Rookie of the Year, Eastern League Postseason All-Star, an Eastern League All-Star selection, and even being selected for the Futures Game during the MLB All-Star weekend. Marte played 129 games during his 2011 campaign with the Curve, finishing with one of the all-best batting averages in franchise history with a .332 average, putting him tied for third all-time.

4. INF- Nick Gonzales - Pittsburgh Pirates

Season Stats: .313 AVG, 18 games, 3 HRs, 16 RBIs

Lately, Nick Gonzales has been exactly what the doctor ordered for the Pirates' starting lineup. Before being called up to the Majors, Gonzales was on an absolute tear throughout the International League with the Indianapolis Indians. Within his last 30 games with Indy, he hit an outrageous .358 AVG with four home runs, 19 RBI, and 13 drawn walks.

Gonzales has done anything but slow down with the Pirates. In his last 18 starts, he’s already stolen multiple bases and hit a couple of home runs. This great start has shown manager Derek Shelton all he needs to see to consistently put Gonzales in the lineup.

With the Curve, Gonzales showed much of his potential early on. During the 2022 season, he hit a consistent .263 batting average, seven home runs, and 33 RBIs. This impressive performance helped him stand out in an already stacked lineup of future Pittsburgh Pirates, such as Endy Rodriguez, Jack Suwinski, Tucupita Marcano, and Jared Triolo.

Other Notes:

• Where do we begin with Matt Gorski? Like many others in Indy, He’s been completely dominant in the International League. His time with the Indians has been well-spent, within his last 15 games Gorski has racked up a solid .296 batting average along with eight home runs and five drawn walks.
• Liover Peguero has been swinging a hot bat lately, collecting a pleasing .274 avg. Along with that impressive feat, he’s also collected five stolen bases and 31 RBIs
• Beau Sulser is currently with the Buffalo Bisons, the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, and he recently got into a pitching duel against his brother Cole on Syracuse Mets—the results ended with each striking out a pair. Beau spent parts of two seasons with the Curve, in 2019 and 2023.

Stay tuned all season long for more exciting content on the Around the Curve Blog!