The first-place Altoona Curve have improved to two-and-a-half games ahead of second-place Erie and a half game ahead of the Bingahamton Rumble Ponies for the Eastern League’s best record thanks in large part to Kevin Kramer’s uncanny ability to get on base.
Kevin Kramer has burst on to the Double-A scene as a prospect who looks to have a bright future in professional baseball as he’s hitting .351 in 28 games for the Curve. And while Kramer has been raking at the plate, even when he fails to reach on a hit, he still manages to get on base for manager Michael Ryan’s team.
In fact, Kramer has reached base in all 28 games he’s appeared in for Altoona this season. His 28-game on-base streak has his on-base percentage at an impressive .464. Kramer’s ability to get on base has been a strong suit for Ryan’s club this year as his starting second baseman has been sandwiched in the line-up by shortstop Kevin Newman and first baseman Edwin Espinal. Newman and Kramer seemingly find themselves on base for Espinal more often than not this season.
With Espinal hitting behind the middle infield duo, he’s done a superb job at putting the ball in play and getting the runners home as he leads the team with RBIs. Conversely, Kramer and Newman can be found at first and third respectively on the team in the runs scored category.
Newman suffers scare Wednesday
Against Richmond Wednesday afternoon, Newman got a dose of deja vu in a the form of a fastball off his helmet. A similar incident last year put Newman on the shelf with a broken orbital bone, this year, however, the incident was just a very close call for the short stop.
Kevin Newman, #Pirates No. 5 prospect, was hit in the head with a pitch from Sam Coonrod #Altoona #Richmond https://t.co/SsNzMgTKXh
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) May 10, 2017
Many feared the worst for the up-and-coming prospect, but after a day off Thursday, Newman is expected to be back at shortstop and hitting in the two-hole in the batting order much like he was before getting hit. Whether Newman wears a protective face shield, similar to what Pirates’ starting pitchers wear, is to be determined, but both Newman and his team should be glad the damage the ball did was minimal and he’s still able to play.
Waddell shows improvement on the mound
Brandon Waddell was a fifth round draft pick for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2015 out of the University of Virginia. Waddell struggled with the West Virginia Black Bears out of college in Single-A, but in Advanced-A Bradenton, the southpaw found his stride and earned a mid-season call-up to Altoona after he posted a .093 ERA in five starts while going 4-0 for the Marauders.
Waddell began his second season playing for the Curve with a lot of promise, however, that was put on hold as he went to the disabled list following his first start with a left forearm strain. In that singular start at the beginning of the year, Waddell succumbed to a three-run homer in giving up four earned runs while making it through four innings. The bright spot for Waddell in his season-opening start was he was able to notch five strikeouts while walking only one hitter.
It would be nearly a month before Waddell would step on the mound for Altoona in a game following his injury. The former Cavalier worked three shutout innings walking one and striking out six against Akron. On Wednesday, Waddell failed to notch a single out against Richmond giving up three earned runs on two hits. Unlike his first two starts, his third start saw a lack of control seldom seen from the 6’3″ lefty. Waddell walked three Flying Squirrels before being pulled.
The key to Waddell returning to form and becoming a prospect who could make a difference at the big league level is simply staying healthy. When healthy, Waddell has been solid at each level he has been to and as a lefty, should he stay healthy, he could have a long professional baseball career.
Many times with a forearm strain, it’s difficult to be on top of your pitches even when off the DL, which seems to be what Waddell is working through now especially following his start Wednesday. One thing Waddell has going for him in his seven innings of work this season is that opponents are only hitting .185 off the lefty. A cause for concern is the 1.43 WHIP which was undoubtedly inflated by his last outing.
Waddell has the potential to be a big-time prospect if he can stay healthy and barring any setbacks with his forearm, should become a pivotal piece in the Curve rotation as the summer wears on and he gets back to throwing deeper into games.
Up Next
The Altoona Curve round out their home series against New Hampshire with the remaining three games coming this weekend before they head to Binghamton for a three-game road series. Following the series against the Rumble Ponies, Altoona returns home for the start of a seven-game homestand against the Erie Seawolves and Akron Rubber Ducks.
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