For the first time since 2019, the Altoona Curve will be in competition at PNG Field as they open the 2021 season against the Bowie Baysox tonight.
The Curve return six players from the 2019 squad: shortstop O’Neil Cruz, catcher Arden Pabst, outfielder Bligh Madris and pitchers Cody Bolton, Shea Murray and John O’Reilly.
At the helm is Miguel Perez in his first season as the Curve’s manager. He was scheduled to take over for Indiana-native Michael Ryan, who left the team following the 2019 season and was hired to coach the Chicago Cubs’ AA-affiliate, but due to the pandemic, he had to spend his first year in Altoona overseeing the Pirates’ alternate site.
In a news conference, Perez said the team is ready to start competing.
He said that all players on the roster are exciting to watch, not just the top prospects.
Curve first-baseman Mason Martin said that he took the off-season to fine-tune his mechanics to be a better player.
Pitcher Max Kranick, who saw some time on the mound for the Pirates in Spring Training, said he’s excited to pitch in front of fans in 2021.
First pitch between Altoona and Bowie tonight is 6 p.m.
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