Around the Curve | 2024 Curve Opening Day Roster Features Top Talents In Pirates Minor League System
The Opening Day Roster for the Altoona Curve features six players that are ranked in the Pirates Top-30 prospects by MLB.com, including four in the Top-10 and two players ranked among the top-100 prospects in all of Minor League Baseball. MLB Pipeline ranked Pittsburgh’s minor league system as the ninth
The Opening Day Roster for the Altoona Curve features six players that are ranked in the Pirates Top-30 prospects by MLB.com, including four in the Top-10 and two players ranked among the top-100 prospects in all of Minor League Baseball.
MLB Pipeline ranked Pittsburgh’s minor league system as the ninth best among all organizations entering 2024, marking the sixth straight year that Pittsburgh’s minor league system is ranked in the top 10 by MLB Pipeline. The Pirates have the only minor league system with four pitchers ranked in the Top 100 Prospects by MLB Pipeline, with all four having worn an Altoona Curve uniform (Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, Anthony Solometo, Bubba Chandler).
Headlining the returning group of position players for the Curve are No. 8 Pirates prospect INF Tsung-Che Cheng and No. 21 Pirates prospect OF Jase Bowen. On the pitching side, three are ranked in the Pirates Top-10 by MLB.com include No. 4 LHP Anthony Solometo, No. 5 RHP Bubba Chandler, and No. 7 RHP Braxton Ashcraft.
On the mound, 11 pitchers who have spent time with the Curve are slated to open the season in Altoona including Ashcraft, RHP Brad Case, Chandler, LHP Nick Dombkowski, RHP Grant Ford, RHP Cameron Junker, RHP Valentin Linarez, RHP Justin Meis, LHP Tyler Samaniego, Solometo, and RHP Sean Sullivan.
Additional returners among the position player group include C Abrahan Gutierrez, C Dylan Shockley, Cheng, INF Jackson Glenn, INF Mike Jarvis, INF Aaron Shackelford, OF Matt Fraizer, Bowen,** and OF **Connor Scott. Shackelford last played for Altoona in 2022, where he hit 26 home runs in 110 games with the Curve, good for the second-most in a single season in Curve history.
Rounding out the pitching staff are RHP Po-Yu Chen, RHP Chris Gau, RHP Isaac Mattson, and RHP Eddy Yean. Yean, who was acquired by the Pirates from the Nationals in the Josh Bell trade in 2020, and Chen will make their Double-A debuts with Altoona. Gau and Mattson each have over 140+ games of experience in their minor league careers.
The position player group is also highlighted by C Wyatt Hendrie, INF Francisco Acuna, INF Seth Beer, INF Kervin Pichardo, OF Brenden Dixon, and OF Tres Gonzalez. Beer was a first-round pick with the Astros (28th overall in 2018) and earned major league experience with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2021 and 2022, while Gonzalez is the Pirates No. 28 prospect and will make his Double-A debut after being drafted by the Pirates in the fifth round in 2022.
Pichardo joined the Pirates organization just ahead of Opening Day when the Padres and Pirates agreed upon another deal. The Pirates acquired LHP Jackson Wolf as part of their trade of Rich Hill and Ji-Man Choi last August, but when Wolf was designated for assignment this spring, the Padres wanted the lanky lefty back and the teams came together on another deal. Since General Manager Ben Cherington took over for the Pirates in 2020, the teams have made several deals that have sent RHP Joe Musgrove, INF Adam Frazier, Hill and Choi as well as Wolf to the Padres for a hefty group of players.
**This story was printed in Volume 25 Issue 1 of the Curve Chronicle for the April 9-14 homestand.**
Nine Run Seventh Clinches Series For Curve
CURVE, PA – The Curve scored nine times on eight hits in the bottom of the seventh inning, turning a 2-0 deficit into a 9-2 lead and eventual 9-3 win over the Somerset Patriots on Sunday afternoon at Peoples Natural Gas Field. With the win, Altoona earned a series win
Captain Jack Breaks Late Tie in 2-1 Win
CURVE, PA – Jack Brannigan drove in both of Altoona’s runs, including a go-ahead single in the eighth inning, to secure a 2-1 win over the Somerset Patriots in front of 4,198 fans at Peoples Natural Gas Field on Saturday evening. With the game tied at one in the eighth,
Tres Gonzalez Holds ERA at 0.00
CURVE, PA – Altoona’s offense was held to just three hits and two walks in a 12-1 loss to the Somerset Patriots on Friday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Somerset plated five runs across their first three at-bats and added seven more across the fifth to seventh inning. Derek
Rail Kings Strike Out 14 in 6-4 Win
CURVE, PA – Playing as the Altoona Rail Kings, the Curve picked up a 6-4 win over the Somerset Patriots on Thursday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The Curve took advantage of three early Somerset errors to score five runs across their first two at-bats. Sammy Siani slammed a
Brannigan, Bowen Bash Patriots in 10-1 Win
CURVE, PA – Curve starter Hunter Barco continued his brilliant start to begin the season and got plenty of run support in a 10-1 win for the Curve over the Somerset Patriots on Wednesday afternoon at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Barco permitted just one walk and one hit in his
SportsNet Pittsburgh To Air 20 Curve Games at PNG Field During 2025 Campaign
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve are pleased to announce that 20 home games during the 2025 season will air on SportsNet Pittsburgh. “We are so really looking forward to expanding our partnership with SportsNet Pittsburgh to air more Altoona Curve games this season,” said Curve General Manager Nate Bowen.
Patriots Take Series Opener From Curve
CURVE, PA – Altoona was held without a hit into the seventh inning by Somerset pitching, as the Curve dropped their series opener to the Patriots, 6-1, on Tuesday night at PNG Field. Alessandro Ercolani and Nick Dombkowski combined for six innings of two run ball, allowing just two solo
Curve Drop Series Finale in Akron
CURVE, PA – Altoona took a 13-1 loss in their series finale at Akron on Sunday afternoon at Canal Park. With the loss, Altoona’s record drops to 3-6. Termarr Johnson picked up two infield singles and a walk in five plate appearances as part of a six-hit day for the
RubberDucks Quack Curve Bullpen in Saturday Defeat
CURVE, PA – Anthony Solometo struck out five batters over five one-run innings in his second start of the season, but the Akron RubberDucks scored three runs off the Curve bullpen to hand Altoona a 4-3 loss on Saturday night at Canal Park. Solometo left the game after allowing just
Bowen Bashes Three Hits in 8-1 Win
CURVE, PA – The Curve offense banged out ten hits and drew eight walks to push Altoona to an 8-1 win over the Akron RubberDucks on Friday night at Canal Park. Trailing 1-0 in the sixth inning, Altoona used a bases loaded walk from Shawn Ross and a wild pitch
Curve Pitching Strike Out 14 in Shutout Win
CURVE, PA – Hunter Barco, Valentin Linarez, Justin Meis, and Cam Sanders combined to produce the first shutout win of the season for Altoona on Thursday night, holding Akron to just three hits in a 2-0 Curve win at Canal Park. Barco matched his Double-A high with five strikeouts in
Tres Gonzalez Tosses Scoreless 8th Inning
CURVE, PA – Altoona dropped their second straight game at Canal Park on Wednesday night, falling 13-1 to the ‘Ducks. The Curve picked up their lone run in the second inning. Jack Brannigan led off the frame with a single and after a strikeout and a walk by Aaron McKeithan,
Late Rally From ‘Ducks Sinks Curve
CURVE, PA – Altoona scored a pair of first inning runs and led 5-2 after four innings, however, the Akron RubberDucks rallied for a 6-5 win over the Curve on Tuesday night at Canal Park. The Curve offense worked two walks and two hits off Akron starter Rorik Maltrud, plating
Sammy Slams Baysox In Sunday Win
CURVE, PA – Outfielder Sammy Siani’s two-run homer stood up as the only runs needed for the Curve in their series finale against Chesapeake as the Curve earned a 2-1 win over the Baysox on Sunday afternoon at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Anthony Solometo continued a solid run of pitching
Dotel Dazzles in Saturday Defeat
CURVE, PA – Making his Double-A debut, Curve starter Wilber Dotel tossed five scoreless innings, however, Altoona dropped their second straight game to the Chesapeake Baysox, 2-0, on Saturday evening at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Dotel allowed just two hits, did not walk a batter, and struck out four against
Baysox Swipe Opening Day Win From Curve
CURVE, PA – Brenden Dixon swatted a solo homer and the Curve drew seven walks, but dropped their Opening Day matchup with the Chesapeake Baysox, 3-2, on Friday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The Curve used three walks and a single to pick up the game’s first run in
Pirates Reveal 2025 Altoona Curve Break Camp Roster
CURVE, PA – The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Friday an initial list of 29 players reporting to Altoona for the 2025 season. The player list features five players that are ranked in the Pirates Top 30 prospects by MLB.com, including two in the Top 10 and one player ranked among the
Altoona Curve Announce 2025 Promotional Schedule
CURVE, PA –The Altoona Curve are pleased to share the full 2025 promotional schedule, which will once again feature a theme or promotion for all 69 home games at Peoples Natural Gas Field! “After a long winter of work, we are excited to share the exciting promotional schedule for our
Altoona Curve Announces Return of “Pints for Vets” Tasting Event
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve are excited to announce the return of Pints for Vets, presented by Ward Trucking. The beer, wine, & spirits sampling event will be held at Peoples Natural Gas Field on Saturday, June 28, with proceeds benefiting Band of Heroes Outdoors, a nonprofit organization that
Altoona Curve Announce New Changes at Peoples Natural Gas Field for the 2025 Season
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve are excited to announce the newest staff additions and stadium policies at Peoples Natural Gas Field that will be put in place for the 2025 season, presented by Stuckey Automotive. “It is hard to believe that the offseason has flown by already,” said Curve
Pirates Spring Breakout Game to be Broadcasted on Curve Radio Network
BRADENTON, Fla. – The Altoona Curve is excited to announce that the Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Breakout Game will be broadcasted live on the Fly Altoona Curve Radio Network on Friday, March 14 at 1:05 p.m. from Clearwater, Florida. Fans can listen to the game on 96.1 Hank-FM, Pirates.com, the MLB
Around the Curve | Eight Former Curve Named to Pirates Spring Breakout Roster
CURVE, PA. – MLB's annual prospect Showcase, the Spring Breakout game, will pit top Pirates minor league prospects against top Phillies prospects on Friday, March 14 at 1:05 p.m. at Clearwater's Baycare Ballpark, home of the Philadelphia Phillies. (Info). The Pirates vs. Phillies game will be broadcast nationally on MLB
Andy Fox Named Altoona Curve Manager for 2025 Season
CURVE, PA – The Pittsburgh Pirates and Altoona Curve are pleased to announce the 2025 Coaching Staff for the upcoming season in Curve, PA, headlined by new manager Andy Fox. “I am thrilled to welcome Andy Fox and his staff to Curve, PA for the 2025 season,” said Curve General
Curve Accepting Nominations for 1st Summit Bank Teachers of the Year to be Honored on Teacher Appreciation Night
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve are excited to announce the opening of the 2025 1st Summit Bank Teachers of the Year Competition. Three nominated teachers will be named Teachers of the Year with a special on-field ceremony on Teacher Appreciation Night, presented by 1st Summit Bank, on Saturday, May
Third Year of Curve Charities Generates Over $84,000 in Donations to Area Non-Profits
CURVE, PA – Altoona Curve Charities, a 501c3 organization dedicated to supporting local youth programs and organizations that promote exercise, health, activity and education for the betterment of youth and community, is pleased to announce recipients of grant money and in-kind services for the 2024 grant cycle. The 2024 grant