Pittsburgh Review

Khristian Curtis has made a notable return to the pitching mound in the Arizona Fall League, overcoming significant injury challenges. On Monday night, Curtis delivered four shutout innings for Scottsdale, despite the team's 3-1 loss to Salt River. The Pirates' No. 27 prospect has faced considerable adversity since his freshman year at Texas A&M in 2021.

Curtis underwent ulnar transposition surgery that year and missed the entire season. Upon returning in 2022, he experienced issues with his velocity and involuntary shaking in his right arm. It was discovered that stitches from his initial surgery were causing nerve damage, nearly resulting in permanent harm to his arm.

“The doctors didn't really want me to throw another baseball, just with the damage that was done in my original surgery,” Curtis explained. “And so I'm blessed to be able to keep throwing the baseball, keep doing what I do.”

After a second surgery lasting five-and-a-half hours, doctors warned Curtis might not regain full use of his arm. He relied heavily on faith throughout this ordeal and still experiences some numbness in his fingertips.

“I'm still regaining feeling in my right hand -- it's starting to come back a lot more than it was when I first woke up from surgery,” Curtis said. “But it's a process... They say the nerve heals a millimeter a day, so it's still a work in progress.”

Curtis transferred to Arizona State after his surgeries and performed well enough to be selected by the Pirates in Round 12 of the 2023 Draft. Despite missing part of the season due to a hamstring issue, he is now making up for lost time in Arizona.

Though he occasionally struggles with command due to lingering effects from his injuries, Curtis remains optimistic about his future prospects as a pitcher.

“It's really just my back leg; whenever I collapse, I lose balance on the mound,” Curtis said regarding adjustments he's making.

He attributes much of his perseverance and ability to move forward on mental resilience and faith.

“I was just keeping things simple,” Curtis said. “I know last week got to me pretty good...so just being able to flush it, move on, trust in my ability, and thanking God for being able each week to go back out there and play.”