Curry has played for the Texas Rangers and their affiliate teams ( Down East Wood Ducks , Hickory Crawdads , and Arizona Complex League Rangers ) since 2020 .
Yost signing with the San Diego Padres on July 20 , 2023 .
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
The 2019 championship run was unbelievable . As a junior , I looked up to the seniors and knew we had something special … the whole team meshed well and came out firing . We went undefeated in the playoffs . Celebrating that championship was unforgettable . It was the first one since 2009 .”
— Aidan Curry ’ 20
Influenced by a combination of academic and athletic opportunities , Curry decided to commit to attending college and playing baseball at Bucknell University . “ I committed to Bucknell because I knew I could academically be challenged but still learn . The coaching staff at Bucknell were great to me and I felt that they were what I was looking for in coaches from a development standpoint ,” he said .
The COVID pandemic changed things . That year , the Major League Baseball draft was shortened drastically . After the draft , teams were free to make signing offers to all other draft-eligible players who were not taken . The Texas Rangers called Curry and he made the decision to forgo college for professional baseball .
“ Year one was a bit rocky ,” Curry remembered . “ Coming into it as a young 18-year-old , I started off my career with Brandon Marsh hitting a ball 109 miles per hour off the back of my head . Last year was a breakout year for me . I put up great numbers , moved up the prospect list , and won Carolina League Pitcher of the Year . Being able to do that was a big confidence boost ,” he added .
Playing for the Texas Rangers has been an exciting journey for him . “ It ’ s fun , especially coming off a World Series win . The organization is disciplined in development and knowing how to play as a team is one of the biggest things I ’ ve liked about the Rangers ,” Curry noted . He also appreciates the effort the team puts into developing players ’ mental skills .
Yost took a different track and committed to Northeastern University during his junior year , drawn by the vibrant city of Boston and the coaching staff . “ I knew I wanted to play baseball in college , but I didn ’ t know where , and after visiting Northeastern , I knew it was where I wanted to go ,” he said .
Yost was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the summer of 2023 . “ I was in the Cape playing summer ball on Draft Day . I got drafted in the 17th round , close to game time . My agent texted me , and I was super excited . My parents and sister were there . I was super happy that I was going to be able to play professional baseball ,” he recalled .
Beyond the championships and victories , both alumni cherish the life skills , lasting memories , and the friendships they forged at Fordham Prep . They attribute much of their success to their former coaches , as well as teachers such as Stephen Traendly ( Mathematics Department ) and Dr . Martin Carney ( Religious Studies Department ). Spanish classes at Fordham Prep have also proven valuable when communicating with their fellow Spanish-speaking teammates .
“ One of the biggest things I ’ ve learned [ at the Prep ] was accountability , patience , and being able to stay composed in certain situations ,” said Curry , adding , “ I ’ ve made lifelong friends on [ the Prep ’ s baseball ] team . Some of them I talk to everyday . These relationships and memories will stick with me forever ,” Curry stated .
The strong work ethic instilled at Fordham Prep is something Eric carries with him . “ The Prep taught me to work hard ,” Yost stated , “ and that ’ s something I ’ m going to try to do for the rest of my career .”
SUMMER 2024 VOLUME 44 , ISSUE 2 11