The Pirates still have weeks left in this season, but the conversation in Pittsburgh is already drifting toward what comes next. And right now, one name is pushing hard to be part of that future: Khristian Curtis.
The right-hander has made only two big league appearances, but the early results have been impossible to ignore. Curtis opened his MLB career with five scoreless innings against the Cleveland Guardians in the second game of a doubleheader at Progressive Field on July 18, then followed that up with three more shutout frames against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 23.
That’s eight scoreless innings to begin a career, with only two hits allowed over 24 at-bats and 27 plate appearances. Hitters haven’t done much with what Curtis has thrown at them, and the numbers back up what the eye test says: he’s been hard to square up.
Curtis has leaned on five pitches, but the backbone of his approach has been his four-seam fastball and cutter, which he’s thrown about 65% of the time. He’s mixed in a changeup, slider and curveball as well, and the variety has helped him keep hitters off balance. The contact has been light, too, with just a 22.2% hard-hit rate across those two outings.
He also showed he can get ahead early, throwing first-pitch strikes to seven of the 10 Dodgers he faced. That set the tone for a night in which he retired 18 straight batters before walking Dodgers second baseman Tommy Edman with one out in the eighth inning.
Curtis said after the game that the approach is pretty straightforward.
“Just attacking hitters, getting ahead in the count, really anything," Curtis said to SportsNet Pittsburgh on his strategy postgame. "When I get ahead in the count, usually good things happen and just so attacking early, getting the offspeed in zone, being able to land breaking balls whenever I fall behind in the count.
Really just attacking that’s the whole thing and just really, against lefties, getting the cutter in on the hands and being able to land the changeup. Location is really big.”
Pittsburgh’s season hasn’t gone the way anyone wanted. The Pirates are 63-69 and sit 8.5 games back in the National League Wild Card race after being swept by the Dodgers.
That leaves the club with a choice: fold up the tent, or keep sorting through the players who might matter next year and beyond. Curtis is making a strong case to stay in the mix.
Manager Don Kelly said Curtis has earned attention for a possible spot when rosters expand by two players in September, including the 28th-man roster.
“Curtis did a really nice job in Cleveland and then again today and I think he’s definitely put himself in the conversation,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said postgame to SportsNet Pittsburgh. “He’s earned innings and as far as starts go, we’re going to keep beating that up for that spot and he’s definitely in the conversation.”
Curtis is one of four rookies Pittsburgh has used in this bulk role, alongside right-handers Wilber Dotel and Antwone Kelly, plus left-hander Hunter Barco. All four should have chances for more work as the season winds down, but Curtis has separated himself from the group.
With Mitch Keller out for the season because of injury, Curtis looks positioned to get starting opportunities and a real chance to prove he belongs in a major league rotation.
“I mean, that would be a dream come true, just to be a starter in the big leagues and be in a rotation and just be able to contribute every start,” Curtis said. "Just go out there and give my all and what happens, happens. I'd just give my best and go out there and have fun.”
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