The Curve outfield is already crowded and could get even more so in a couple weeks with the addition of Jason Delaney

He’s tearing up the Carolina League, hitting .350 for Single-A Lynchburg, and has the look of a player who could make an instant impact whenever he gets to Altoona

‘‘He’s got all the confidence in the world right now’’ Hillcats teammate Brad Corley said
‘‘When he goes up to bat, he knows he’s going to do well’’

Delaney has done very well this season, leading his league in hitting and on-base percentage (.430), ranking second in hits (71), third in slugging (.576) and tying for fifth in RBIs (39)

‘‘When the game’s on the line, he’s the guy I want at the plate’’ Hillcats manager Jeff Branson said

The 24-year-old Delaney should be in Double-A already, though it’s understandable why the Pirates have yet to promote him
Lynchburg is battling for the first-half championship in the Carolina League’s Northern Division, so the Bucs likely will leave Delaney there through the end of the race next Sunday
It will be off to the Carolina League All-Star Game after that, then Delaney’s next stop could be Altoona

There’s a chance, however, his jump to Double-A could be delayed a little longer because of the Curve’s crowded outfield
Andrew McCutchen is a staple in center and Adam Boeve in right, leaving only a spot in left
Minor league veterans Brett Roneberg and Alex Fernandez are splitting time there now, and Vic Buttler is expected to rejoin the team in a week or so
All three are capable leftfielders and quality hitters, though Buttler is the only one who can be considered a prospect
Delaney is a better prospect, though, and will need to play every day when he joins the Curve

The Pirates drafted Delaney in the 12th round out of Boston College in 2005, and he hit only .213 in 55 games at rookie-level Williamsport that year

He then figured out pro pitching last season, hitting .300 with nine homers and 75 RBIs for low-A Hickory

‘‘Once he had success last year, seeing he can hit in pro ball, then I think his confidence has risen to its highest level’’ said Branson, who also managed Delaney at Hickory

Delaney has made big strides in the power department this season, having already equaled his home run total from 2006

‘‘It’s learning how to attack pitches a little different’’ he said
‘‘Last year, my approach was completely geared to right-center
I’d be satisfied with hitting line drives up the middle and line drives into right-center’’

This year, he’s learned how to jump on pitches and ‘‘hit them off walls and over walls to left-center’’

Steven Pearce carried Lynchburg’s offense in April, hitting .347 with 11 homers and 24 RBIs, before moving up to the Curve

When Pearce left, Delaney took over as the Hillcats’ big bopper
‘‘Whenever you lose someone like Pearce, the team always looks to find someone else to do it’’ Delaney said
‘‘I got into a situation where I started to get some big hits, and confidence started to build’’

He’s been so good that opposing teams have starting pitching around him
‘‘In the other clubhouse’’ he said ‘‘when they go over their pitchers’ meetings, they’re saying, ‘Don’t let Delaney beat you’
And it makes sense
They’re not going to throw me fastballs to hit, especially when there’s RBI situations or late in the game when the game may still be in doubt’’

He’s always been a patient hitter, and this experience has helped Delaney better learn to stay off pitches out of the strike zone

Delaney may not hammer balls out of Blair County Ballpark consistently when he joins the Curve, but he’s the type of hitter who should be able to take advantage of the big gaps

‘‘I don’t think he’s predominantly a big-time power hitter’’ Branson said
‘‘He’s a line drive hitter that has a pure swing
His strength is to right-center
He stays on the ball very well, but he does have the ability to turn on that fastball in’’

The Curve already have a strong offense, but the prospect of adding a guy hitting .350 is intriguing

Delaney has put himself on the prospect radar with his huge first half, and if he does anything close to that when he joins the Curve, he’ll turn ever more heads

The Pirates should get him up to Altoona as soon as possible