John Curtiss

John Pickens Curtiss Bio

John Pickens Curtiss is an American professional baseball pitcher who has played for multiple Major League Baseball organizations since making his debut in 2017. Originally drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 2014, Curtiss has established himself as a versatile relief pitcher capable of contributing across various roles. His career has been marked by resilience, having overcome significant injuries including Tommy John surgery. Curtiss most recently played in MLB with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization and currently competes for Charros de Jalisco in the Mexican League.

Early Life and Background

John Pickens Curtiss was born on April 5, 1993, in Texas. He attended Carroll Senior High School in Southlake, Texas, where he developed his skills as a baseball pitcher. His performance in high school attracted attention from college programs and professional scouts alike. Curtiss demonstrated the talent that would eventually lead him to a collegiate baseball career at a major university.

Following his graduation from Carroll Senior High School, Curtiss continued his baseball journey at the collegiate level. His dedication to the sport and continued development during his amateur years laid the foundation for his professional career.

Path to Professional Baseball

Prior to enrolling at college, Curtiss was already on the radar of MLB teams. He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 30th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft but did not sign with the organization, choosing instead to pursue his education further. This decision allowed him to refine his abilities at the collegiate level before turning professional.

Curtiss eventually chose to attend the University of Texas at Austin, where he played college baseball for the Texas Longhorns. The Texas Longhorns baseball program is one of the most prestigious collegiate programs in the United States, providing Curtiss with high-level competition and development opportunities. His success with the Longhorns elevated his draft stock significantly.

After his collegiate career concluded, Curtiss entered the MLB draft in 2014. He was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the sixth round, with the 170th overall pick. This marked the beginning of his professional baseball career and set him on the path to Major League Baseball.

John Pickens Curtiss Career

Minor League Development (2014–2017)

Following his selection by the Minnesota Twins in the 2014 MLB draft, Curtiss began his professional career with the Elizabethton Twins in the Appalachian League. He progressed through the Twins minor league system over the next several seasons. In 2015, he played for the Gulf Coast Twins and Cedar Rapids Kernels, continuing to develop his pitching repertoire.

Curtiss spent the 2016 season with Cedar Rapids and Fort Myers Miracle, further advancing his career trajectory. After the 2016 season concluded, he participated in the Arizona Fall League, a prestigious winter league featuring top prospects from across minor league baseball. This experience accelerated his development and brought him closer to his Major League debut.

Minnesota Twins (2017–2018)

Curtiss began the 2017 season with the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts before receiving a promotion to the Rochester Red Wings, the Twins’ Triple-A affiliate. His strong performance in the minor leagues earned him recognition from the organization. On August 23, 2017, Curtiss was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.

He made nine appearances for the Twins during his rookie campaign but struggled with an 8.31 ERA and 10 strikeouts across 8⅔ innings pitched. The following season, Curtiss appeared in eight games for Minnesota, posting an 0-1 record with a 5.68 ERA and seven strikeouts over 6⅓ innings. On January 14, 2019, he was designated for assignment by the Twins following the signing of Blake Parker.

Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia Phillies (2019)

On January 15, 2019, Curtiss was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for Daniel Ozoria. He opened the 2019 season with the Salt Lake Bees, the Angels’ Triple-A affiliate. Curtiss made one appearance for the Angels on April 15, 2019, before being designated for assignment on April 30. He was outrighted to Triple-A on May 3 but refused the assignment and elected free agency.

In June 2019, Curtiss signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. He appeared in eight games for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs but struggled significantly, posting a 10.95 ERA with 15 strikeouts across 12⅓ innings. The Phillies released him from their organization on July 7, 2019, ending his tenure with the club.

Tampa Bay Rays (2020)

On February 3, 2020, Curtiss signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. He received a call-up on August 9, 2020, after Oliver Drake was placed on the injured list. Curtiss made his Rays debut that same day, pitching two perfect innings in a 4-3 victory over the New York Yankees.

He earned his first major league win on August 11 in an 8-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox. However, the defining moment of his 2020 season came during the postseason. Curtiss was the winning pitcher in Game 4 of the 2020 World Series, where the Rays walked off the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-7 in a finish that has been labeled as an instant classic. Although the Rays ultimately lost the World Series four games to two, Curtiss’ performance in that game became a career-defining moment. Across 12 appearances with Tampa Bay in 2020, he posted a 2-1 record with a 3.18 ERA and 29 strikeouts across 22⅔ innings.

Miami Marlins (2021)

On February 17, 2021, Curtiss was traded to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Evan Edwards. He became a valuable member of the Marlins’ bullpen, making 35 appearances and posting a 3-1 record with a 2.48 ERA and 40 strikeouts across 40 innings of work. His performance with Miami represented one of the strongest stretches of his career to that point.

Milwaukee Brewers (2021)

On July 30, 2021, Curtiss was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Payton Henry. His tenure with the Brewers proved brief, as he appeared in only six games and struggled significantly, posting a 12.46 ERA with four strikeouts across 4⅓ innings. More devastatingly, on August 11, 2021, Curtiss was placed on the injured list after suffering a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, which ended his season. He underwent Tommy John surgery on September 7, 2021, a procedure that typically requires an extensive recovery timeline. On November 30, the Brewers non-tendered Curtiss, making him a free agent.

New York Mets (2022–2023)

On April 6, 2022, Curtiss signed a major league contract with the New York Mets. Due to the injury he sustained the previous season, Curtiss missed the entirety of the 2022 campaign as he continued his rehabilitation. Prior to the 2023 season, on November 10, the Mets exercised Curtiss’ $775,000 option for the 2023 season.

Curtiss returned to action with the Mets in 2023, making 15 appearances and posting a 4.58 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 19⅔ innings pitched. On August 14, 2023, he was placed on the 60-day injured list with a loose body in his right elbow. Curtiss underwent season-ending surgery on August 22 to remove the loose body from his elbow. Following the 2023 season on November 2, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse Mets. He elected free agency on November 6.

Colorado Rockies (2024)

On January 25, 2024, Curtiss signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies. He began the season with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, where he appeared in 17 games and posted a 6.75 ERA with 18 strikeouts across 21⅓ innings. On May 24, the Rockies selected Curtiss’ contract, adding him to their active roster.

His time with Colorado proved extremely limited. Curtiss made only one appearance for the Rockies, allowing two runs on three hits in one-third of an inning. He was designated for assignment on May 27 and cleared waivers, being sent outright to Albuquerque on May 30. He rejected the assignment and elected free agency but re-signed with the Rockies on a new minor league contract the following day. The Rockies released him from the organization on July 1 but re-signed him to a new minor league contract two days later.

On July 27, Curtiss’ contract was purchased and he was added back to the major league roster. However, after allowing a run in each of his two appearances, he was designated for assignment on August 6. Curtiss cleared waivers and was outrighted to Albuquerque on August 9. He elected free agency on September 30, 2024.

Arizona Diamondbacks (2025)

On February 11, 2025, Curtiss signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He began the season with the Triple-A Reno Aces, where he appeared in 25 games and logged a 1-1 record with a 6.34 ERA, 28 strikeouts, and two saves across 32⅔ innings. On June 28, the Diamondbacks selected Curtiss’ contract, adding him to their active roster.

For the Diamondbacks, Curtiss made 30 appearances and posted a 3-2 record with a 3.93 ERA, 24 strikeouts, and one save across 36⅔ innings. His performance demonstrated his ability to contribute at the Major League level following his injury setbacks. On November 6, 2025, Curtiss was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Reno. He elected free agency that same day.

On December 16, 2025, Curtiss re-signed with the Diamondbacks organization on a minor league contract. He made 12 appearances for Triple-A Reno, posting a 1-0 record and 4.02 ERA with 13 strikeouts across 15⅔ innings. Curtiss was released by the Diamondbacks organization on May 15, 2026.

John Pickens Curtiss Career Wins

Throughout his Major League Baseball career spanning from 2017 to 2025, John Curtiss has appeared in 78 games across seven different organizations. His career statistics include a 9-4 win-loss record, a 4.03 earned run average, and 128 strikeouts across 85⅔ innings pitched. His most successful stretch came with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2020 and Miami Marlins in 2021.

Tampa Bay Rays Highlights

Curtiss’ 2020 season with the Tampa Bay Rays stands as one of the most notable periods of his career. He appeared in 12 games and posted a 2-1 record with a 3.18 ERA and 29 strikeouts. Beyond his regular-season contributions, Curtiss played a pivotal role in the postseason. He earned his first major league win on August 11 against the Boston Red Sox. However, his defining moment came in Game 4 of the 2020 World Series, where he pitched the Rays to a walk-off victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in what many consider one of the greatest World Series games in history.

Other Career Highlights

Curtiss also demonstrated strong performance with the Miami Marlins in 2021, posting a 3-1 record with a 2.48 ERA in 35 appearances. His ability to pitch effectively across multiple organizations and roles has been a consistent theme throughout his career, though his journey has been interrupted by injuries, most notably the Tommy John surgery that cost him the entire 2022 season.

John Pickens Curtiss Family

Personal Life

Outside of baseball, Curtiss has developed a passion for music. He became interested in country music while attending the University of Texas. During his recovery from injuries, Curtiss learned to play the guitar, which he credited with keeping him grounded during stressful periods of his career.

As a songwriter, Curtiss often composes music while traveling with his team. On September 2, 2018, he performed the national anthem ahead of a Rochester Red Wings game against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Curtiss released his first album in 2025, demonstrating his versatility and creative interests beyond the baseball diamond.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represented a significant chapter in John Curtiss’ career as he worked to re-establish himself at the Major League level. After beginning the year with Triple-A Reno Aces, Curtiss received a call-up to the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 28. He appeared in 30 games for the Diamondbacks and posted a 3-2 record with a 3.93 ERA and 24 strikeouts across 36⅔ innings.

His performance demonstrated the resilience that has characterized his career, particularly given the injury challenges he has faced in recent years. The Diamondbacks valued Curtiss’ versatility and experience, utilizing him across multiple appearances throughout the season. His ability to contribute consistently at the Major League level after undergoing multiple surgeries highlighted his determination and work ethic.

Following the 2025 season, Curtiss was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A Reno. He subsequently elected free agency before re-signing with the Diamondbacks on a minor league contract in December 2025. This ongoing relationship with the organization reflects both Curtiss’ desire to continue his professional career and the mutual respect between player and team.