Around the Curve | Paul Skenes Wins Rookie of the Year Award
CURVE, Pa. – Paul Skenes has gone from college phenom to rookie sensation in a year’s time, and the accolades are just beginning to pile up. After a dominant campaign that stacks up as one of the best rookie seasons by a pitcher in Major League history, Skenes has been
CURVE, Pa. – Paul Skenes has gone from college phenom to rookie sensation in a year’s time, and the accolades are just beginning to pile up.
After a dominant campaign that stacks up as one of the best rookie seasons by a pitcher in Major League history, Skenes has been named the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year, defeating San Diego’s Jackson Merrill and Milwaukee’s Jackson Chourio. He is the first Altoona Curve alum to win the award.
In 23 starts, Skenes went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA for the Pirates this season. He never allowed more than four earned runs or six hits in an outing and set a Pirates rookie record with 170 strikeouts in 133 innings pitched. He is the second Pirates player to win this award, joining Jason Bay (2004).
Was there ever any doubt? pic.twitter.com/MTaGaJ4yZT
— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) November 18, 2024
He became the first player in MLB history to start an All-Star Game the season after he was drafted No. 1 overall and just the fifth rookie to start the game on the mound. He joined Gerrit Cole as the only Altoona Curve pitchers to start the All-Star Game.
He is the first pitcher in Major League history to have an ERA below 2.20 and over 150 strikeouts through his first 21 games. Skenes was also the second player to have an ERA below 2.00 through their first 22 appearances since 1913.
Skenes, who is also a finalist for the National League Cy Young Award, is the first starting pitcher to win Rookie of the Year since Michael Fulmer won for Detroit in 2016. Shohei Ohtani won the award in 2018 as a designated hitter while making 10 starts on the mound for the Angels, and Devin Williams won as a relief pitcher for Milwaukee in 2020. He is just the fifth No. 1 overall draft pick to win the award, joining Carlos Correa (2015), Bryce Harper (2012), Darryl Strawberry (1983), and Bob Horner (1978).
Skenes was also named to the All-MLB First Team, joining Cole as the second Curve alum to earn the honor. This award began in 2019, and Cole has been recognized four times since. Skenes was one of five starting pitchers chosen across both the American and National leagues.
The Cy Young Award winners will be announced on Wednesday, where Skenes could become just the second pitcher to sweep the awards in the same season, joining the Dodgers’ Fernando Valenzuela, who achieved the feat in 1981.
The last Pirate to finish in the top four of Cy Young voting was...you guessed it, Gerrit Cole in 2015. Cole is the only Curve alum to win the Cy Young, earning the American League award last season.
Skenes became a household name in his first Major League campaign and is on a path that could make him one of the top faces in the game for years to come.
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
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
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
CurveFest Returns to Peoples Natural Gas Field on March 1
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve are pleased to announce the return of CurveFest, presented by Ravine, on Saturday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A spring celebration of Curve Baseball at CurveFest will give fans their first opportunity to purchase single-game tickets, and the first 200 fans
Curve to Host Promotional Calendar Kick-Off Event at Levity Brewing Company
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve are pleased to announce a brand new kick off event to reveal the 2025 Promotional Schedule, inviting fans to join them on Monday, February 24 at Levity Brewing Company in Altoona for First Pitch: A 2025 Season Preview. The February First Pitch event is
Curve Charities Gala Set to Return on Saturday, February 8
CURVE, PA –Altoona Curve Charities, a 501c3 organization, are pleased to announce the return of the Curve Charities Gala on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the Altoona Grand Hotel. The fundraiser features a special appearance from Curve alumnus and former Pittsburgh Pirate Ian Snell as well as a silent auction
Around the Curve | Jared Triolo Wins First Gold Glove Award
CURVE, Pa. – In 2022, Jared Triolo took the field in his Altoona Curve uniform to accept his Rawlings Minor League Gold Glove Award for his fantastic infield play at Greensboro in 2021. Next season, he will repeat the action in his Pittsburgh Pirates uniform. Triolo was named the winner
Curve Announce 2025 Game Times and Fireworks Dates at Peoples Natural Gas Field
CURVE, PA – The Altoona Curve, Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, are pleased to announce home game times and fireworks dates for the 2025 season. Game times are subject to change. The 2025 season will once again feature 6:00 p.m. start times for many of the team’s home games
Curve Charities Grant Program Accepting Grant Applications for 2024
CURVE, PA – Altoona Curve Charities, a 501c3 organization devoted to supporting local youth programs and organizations, is pleased to announce that Grant Applications for the 2024 Grant Program are available now to area non-profits that promote healthy living for the betterment of youth and community. The 2024 Grant Program
Curve Announce 2024 Team Awards
CURVE, PA – Prior to their penultimate game of the season on Saturday night the Curve honored four players with their annual team awards. Infielder Kervin Pichardo was named the team’s Most Valuable Player for 2024. Bubba Chandler was named the team’s Pitcher of the Year, Eddy Yean was named
Bowen and Wilson Go Back-to-Back In Finale Win
CURVE, Pa. – Jase Bowen and Eli Wilson banged back-to-back home runs to lead Altoona to a 5-1 win over Richmond in front of 4,330 fans on Sunday afternoon at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Jaycob Deese started a bullpen day for the Curve and went three innings allowing only one
Curve Fall in Penultimate Game of the Season
CURVE, Pa. – Jase Bowen hit his ninth home run of the season for the Curve on Saturday night, but the Richmond Flying Squirrels snapped Altoona’s three-game winning streak with a 7-2 defeat of the Curve at Peoples Natural Gas Field. The Curve welcomed 7,027 fans to PNG Field on
Third Straight Win Highlighted by Ten Late Runs
CURVE, Pa. – The Curve scored ten unanswered runs to complete a comeback win, 10-3, over the Richmond Flying Squirrels in front of 4,947 fans at Peoples Natural Gas Field on Friday night. Trailing 3-0 in the sixth, the Curve scored their first two runs of the night on a
Curve Offense Capitalizes Off Squirrels Miscues
CURVE, Pa. – The Curve picked up a second straight win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Thursday night in front of 3,814 fans at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez went 1-for-4 in his third game on major league rehab assignment, catching seven innings in the field.
Bowen and Dixon Lead Late Rally Over Squirrels
CURVE, Pa. – Altoona won a wild back-and-forth affair, 8-7, over the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Wednesday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez doubled in his first at-bat of the night and scored the game’s first run in the bottom of the first. Rodriguez went 1-for-5
Squirrels Fly Past Curve in Series Opener
CURVE, Pa. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels took advantage of four Curve errors to take a 6-2 win over the Curve on Tuesday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez went 0-for-3 in his first game on rehab assignment. Rodriguez caught five innings in the field before
Pirates Catcher Endy Rodriguez Scheduled to Rehab with the Curve
CURVE, PA – The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that C Endy Rodriguez will begin a rehab assignment with the Curve beginning on Tuesday, September 10. Rodriguez is currently on the 60-Day IL for the Pirates recovering from Tommy John Surgery. Rodriguez is in the Curve lineup for Tuesday night’s game against
Early Offense Ensures Series Split with Yard Goats
HARTFORD, Conn. – The Curve earned a split of their six-game series with the Hartford Yard Goats on Sunday afternoon with a 9-5 win at Dunkin’ Park. Working against Rockies rehabbing right-hander Antonio Senzatela, Altoona plated four runs in the top of the first inning on four hits and a
Curve Offense Fuels Saturday Win
HARTFORD, Conn. – Termarr Johnson hit his second home run with Altoona in his first three-hit game with the Curve on Saturday night in a 4-2 win over the Hartford Yard Goats at Dunkin’ Park. The game began after a delay of over two hours due to rain in Hartford.
Yard Goats Take Third Game From Altoona
HARTFORD, Conn. – Termarr Johnson recorded his first multi-hit game with Altoona on Friday night, finishing 2-for-4 in a 6-1 loss for the Curve against the Hartford Yard Goats at Dunkin’ Park. Anthony Solometo allowed six runs on six hits in one inning to take the loss for Altoona. After
Dixon Home Run Lifts Altoona Over Hartford
HARTFORD, Conn. – Brenden Dixon hit his eighth home run of the season in the ninth inning on Thursday night to give Altoona a 3-2 win over Hartford at Dunkin’ Park. The game was tied 2-2 entering the ninth inning when Dixon hit a lead-off home run off Zach Agnos
Yard Goats Walk-Off Curve on Wednesday
HARTFORD, Conn. – Nick Cimillo led Altoona’s offense with three hits on Wednesday night, but Hartford rallied to walk-off the Curve in the bottom of the ninth inning, 6-5, at Dunkin’ Park. With the game tied 5-5 in the bottom of the ninth, Jack Carey entered for Altoona and walked
Curve Shutout to Open Series in Hartford
HARTFORD, Conn. – Sammy Siani and Carter Bins each recorded two hits to total Altoona’s offense in a 4-0 shutout loss to the Hartford Yard Goats at Dunkin Park on Tuesday night. The Curve were held to just four hits in the loss, stranding three on-base and striking out six