New Curve manager accepts challenge of developing prospects making position changes

ALTOONA — As a second-round pick who bounced between the major leagues and the minors, Andy Fox is quick to offer that his heart is in player development because he’s a product of the process.

The Altoona Curve plan to tap into their first-year manager’s passion this season by having him guide a pair of top-20 prospects through position changes as Jack Brannigan has moved from third base to shortstop and Mitch Jebb from shortstop to center field.

Fox won World Series rings with the 1996 New York Yankees and 2003 Marlins as a utility player, served as infield coordinator for the Boston Red Sox before being promoted to field coordinator and, later, first-base coach on the major-league staff. After being fired by Boston in October, he jumped at the chance to manage with the Pirates.

“They’re big in development, and I come from a development place where this game wasn’t easy for me,” said Fox, 54, who spent parts of 12 seasons in the minors. “I spent a lot of time in the minor leagues and had a lot of good coaches that helped me along the way, so those experiences in helping these guys get to the big leagues and achieve their dreams. It’s definitely the place to play. If I can put a hand on them to help them out and kind of bridge that gap, it’s what you like to do and that’s why I’m doing it.”

Where second baseman Termarr Johnson and left-handed pitcher Hunter Barco are top-10 prospects for the Curve, this is a pivotal year for the development of Brannigan and Jebb.

The 24-year-old Brannigan returns to his roots at shortstop after playing third base at Notre Dame and at Low-A Bradenton and High-A Greensboro. The 6-foot, 190-pounder considers it his natural position.

“Getting back over there, it’s like a riding a bike,” Brannigan said. “It’s like I’ve been doing it my whole life, so it’s been good to get back over there and see the field a little bit better from over there.”

The Pirates have a need at the position, with Oneil Cruz switching to center, Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the final year of his contract and no clear-cut successor waiting in the wings. Brannigan is ranked the Pirates’ No. 11 prospect by MLB Pipeline and No. 14 by Baseball America and has the best infield arm in their system, a 70 grade on the 20-80 scouting scale, and believes it will be an advantage on making throws from deep in the hole and bang-bang double plays.

“Obviously, the goal is to maximize your arm as much as you can, but when you have that arm strength, you can turn some balls into outs that maybe some people can’t,” Fox said. “The biggest thing for him is consistency, making the routine plays. We talk about the one- and two-star plays. Get good at making those, and your athleticism and skill is going to help you make the three-, four- and five-star plays.”

The onus is on Brannigan to improve his performance at the plate after batting .238/.344/.490 with 15 doubles, 18 home runs and 53 RBIs for hitter-friendly Greensboro. He was invited to the Pirates’ big league camp at spring training but was 2 for 16 in Grapefruit League play.

“I think whenever you’re an athlete in this game and you have the kind of skill set that he has, it gives him a chance,” Fox said. “Now it’s just a matter of tightening it down offensively and defensively and see where it goes.”

Jebb, by contrast, spent the majority of his time in the minors as a middle infielder. A 2023 second-round pick out of Michigan State, he started 56 games at second base and 31 at shortstop at Greensboro before playing 10 games in center late last season. Baseball America ranks Jebb as the fastest baserunner among Pirates prospects, as the 6-1, 185-pounder led their system with 43 stolen bases.

“The plan is to play him at both, maybe more heavily weighted in the outfield,” Fox said. “You’re talking about an athlete, a guy who can run and is explosive on both sides of the ball. He can bunt, he can steal bases. It’s a big outfield out here, so having that athleticism is going to be huge.”

Jebb, 22, views himself as more of a utility player, one who’s willing to play wherever he is needed — so long as he’s in the lineup. He’s accustomed to playing up the middle, so he anticipates that there will be more time to get a good read and jump on fly balls.

“I’m not sure what the split’s going to be but I’m going to be playing some outfield this year, so I’m excited about that,” Jebb said. “Obviously, it’s a different position. I’ve never played outfield. I’ve got like 10 or 15 games there, so we’ll see what happens out there.”

For Fox, a self-described “baseball rat,” the challenge is to get the most out of both Brannigan and Jebb this season.

“The big thing for these guys is helping them get better and helping them get out of here and get to the big leagues. It’s the place to play,” Fox said. “No one wants to play in Double-A forever.”