Recapping the 2017 Altoona Curve Season

The Pittsburgh Pirates Double-A affiliate in Altoona had a memorable season that was very successful.

The season ended in a rather pedestrian form for what was taking place. The Curve were up 2-0 in a playoff series with Trenton, playing game three at home in the best of five series. The lead stood at 4-2 in favor of the  Curve as they entered the top of the ninth.  It all fell on the shoulders of Tate Scioneaux to close it out and clinch the series.

Scioneaux didn’t allow the first man to score, let alone reach base. Second hitter repeat of the first and it’s the Thunder an out away from their season ending. Wash rinse repeat and hit the showers as the Trenton hitter struck out ending the game. Scioneaux  finished off the Eastern League Championship series by punching out the side like it was nothing new. Giving the Curve the second league title in the 20 years of the franchise existing.

How did they get to that magic moment though. With a successful regular season that saw Altoona hoist the banner for Eastern League West division Champion at 74-66. If there was any doubt they were the best in the division they sent Bowie home in three games in the division series without the Baysox taking a game, after finishing two games ahead of them during the regular season.

Hitters

Altoona wasn’t without an effective offense for the run. Jerrick Suiter hit a team-best .285 with 10 home runs and 58 RBI after seeing a short amount of time in Bradenton before coming to Altoona.

More from Rum Bunter

• Pittsburgh Pirates Prospect Stockwatch: Outfielder Tres Gonzalez
• Pittsburgh Pirates Podcast: Rum Bunter Radio Talks Winter Meetings Fallout
• Pittsburgh Pirates: Potential Leadoff Hitters in 2023
• Pittsburgh Pirates: The Rotation is not being Improved
• Pittsburgh Pirates Make Vince Velasquez Signing Official

Edwin Espinal hit .283 with 15 home runs and 72 RBI in 95 games for the Curve. His career high numbers in homers and RBI earned him a trip to triple a. He also contributed with the glove, winning a gold glove award from for this 1.000 fielding percentage.

Other offensive leaders include Pablo Rayes, who scored 62 times, stole 21 bases and hit 10 homers with 58 RBI. Jordan Luplow hit 16 bombs with Altoona prior to his ascent to Indianapolis and later Pittsburgh. Luplow was named the Pirates Minor league player of the year. He sits as the 20th ranked prospect in the Pirates system.

Pitchers

The Curve had no shortage of effective pitchers. Starting with 10 game winners Tanner Anderson and  Alex McCrae.

Austin Coley was tops on the team in ERA and strikeouts with a 3.01 and 114 respectively.

J.T Brubaker also impressed with his arm racking up 109 strikeouts.

Montana Durapau tied Scioneaux for the team lead in saves with 14 prior to a call-up to Triple-A. Durapau owns the Curve Franchise record for saves with 36.

Mitch Keller pitched the final game for Altoona this season and went 2-0 with a 1.10 ERA in the playoffs. This earned him Playoff MVP.  This was after he went 2-2 with a 3.12 ERA after his promotion from Bradenton.

19th ranked Pirates prospect Yeudy Garcia, 23rd ranked prospect  Brandon Waddell, and 29th ranked Dario Agrazal were the other top prospects  Altoona had in their arsenal of arms.

Prospects

Cole Tucker, Kevin Newman, and Kevin Kramer were also amongst the prospects to see time at Altoona in 2017. Each Ranks in the top ten with Tucker at number five, Newman at six and Kramer at nine. Newman was promoted to Indianapolis and Tucker took his place, while Kramer played the whole year with the Curve.

This team looks to defend the title next year. With a strong core of prospects on the way from Bradenton and a couple holdovers this team should be dangerous in 2018.