Anchorage’s Curtis Hebert has pitched better than his stats indicate. Photo courtesy of Fayetteville Woodpeckers
Curtis Hebert finally had something go his way on Wednesday.
In a season plagued by injuries, the right-handed relief pitcher out of Anchorage delivered his best outing of the minor league season and was rewarded with a winning decision for the FCL Astros in an 11-0 win over the Nationals.
Hebert threw a pair of scoreless frames over the fourth and fifth innings to be in the right place at the right time to earn the win, his first of the season. He has bulked up to 215 pounds and now throws his fastball in the 98-mph range.
The 22-year-old worked around four base runners and a wild pitch to come away unscathed to lower his ERA to 12.15 in in six appearances spread over rookie ball and Class-A.
The former South High and University of Portland standout has been hurt for most of the season and returned in late June after spending two months on the injured list, resulting in him getting sent down from the Carolina League to rookie ball.
With the FCL Astros, Hebert has earned his first two starts of his young pro career, which spans 10 appearances across this year and last year.
The all-star was selected in the 20th round of the 2025 MLB Draft – three years after winning Gatorade Alaska Player of the Year honors.
His ERA is regrettable, but he hasn’t been as bad as the numbers suggest. He’s allowed only one extra-base hit in 6.2 innings, while striking out five batters.
Walks have hurt him the most.
In Wednesday’s appearance, however, he danced around runners on base to come away with a clean sheet.
In the fifth, he allowed a single, hit a guy and walked another to load the bases but got out of the jam thanks to a double play and groundout.
In the sixth, Hebert struck out the first batter he faced before his shortstop made an error, which is made worse with a wild pitch; but after a pop up and flyout, it was all good.
