Around the Curve | Siani Looks to Build on Successful 2024 Season in Altoona
This story is part of the series 2025 Spring Break: Young Bucs Edition, a compilation of reports from Bradenton leading up to Opening Day. BRADENTON, Fla. – Outfield defense is one of the most underappreciated elements of a good baseball team. And often, the first step toward having a good
This story is part of the series 2025 Spring Break: Young Bucs Edition, a compilation of reports from Bradenton leading up to Opening Day.
BRADENTON, Fla. – Outfield defense is one of the most underappreciated elements of a good baseball team. And often, the first step toward having a good outfield defense is getting a good break on the ball when it’s hit in your direction.
For outfielder Sammy Siani, he likes to stay athletic and loose between pitches and when the ball is being thrown by his pitcher, he’d take a step or two in and hop; landing as the pitch arrived at home plate. This way he could break quickly on the ball if it was hit in his direction. Yet, as he moved up from High-A Greensboro to the Curve during the 2024 season, he noticed his jumps on balls hit in his direction weren’t good enough.
“I feel like my head was moving a little too much,” Siani relayed in a quiet batting cage after a scrimmage against a collection of Braves prospects at Pirate City on Tuesday afternoon. “My guy Matt Fraizer and I were talking about this the other day, how he watched guys like Kevin Kiermaier and other Gold Glove caliber players, and he helped me kind of find something that works well for me. I simplified it a bit where I can kind of toe-tap into it and sink into my hips and my feet and, for me, I’m getting way better reads and feeling more confident out there.”
Siani, who made several memorable plays in the field during the 2024 season for the Curve and was named Unsung Hero after he hit .254 with 24 extra base hits and stole 14 bases in 96 games.
.@SammySiani JUST FLEW THROUGH THE SKY pic.twitter.com/g3xSZ9DHU5
— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) September 11, 2024
“Last year was a good baseline of where I can be as a player and keep going up from there.” Siani said.
The 2024 season ended for Siani after a brilliant run in the Arizona Fall League. With Scottsdale he hit .324 with five doubles, four homers and 12 RBI in 20 games and was named to the postseason Fall Stars Team. All told between Greensboro, Altoona and Scottsdale, Siani wrapped up a career-high 138 games and nearly 600 plate appearances to help him develop his game.
Then, it was back home to the Philadelphia area to unplug from the game for a few weeks and spend time with family. Sammy spent a significant part of his off-season with his older brother Michael, who just wrapped up a season that included a career-high 124 games with the St. Louis Cardinals. The two are close, often exchanging messages after games and spent the off-season together working out at IMG Academy in Bradenton.
“Spending time with my brother is always a lot of fun for me,” Siani says with a smile. “Learning from him about the difference in being in the minors versus the majors and things to expect as you progress through the minors has been really helpful.”
Curve Cuts
- Minor league games got underway at Pirate City on Tuesday afternoon with two scrimmages against the Atlanta Braves. Brandan Bidois wrapped up the Double-A/Triple-A game against Atlanta with an impressive set of raw stuff on the mound. A native of Melbourne, Australia, Bidois worked his fastball in the 96-98 mph range with a pair of breaking balls that befuddled Braves hitters. Bidois spent the 2024 campaign as one of Greensboro’s most trusted relief arms, it’s possible that he pitches his way onto Altoona’s Opening Day roster.
- Speaking of the Opening Day roster, there is some optimism around Pirate City about what the Curve pitching staff can roll out this year. With a healthy Hunter Barco at the front, the Curve ought to see returns for Anthony Solometo, Po-Yu Chen and Dominic Perachi to Altoona. The bullpen will likely see stud left-handers Jaden Woods and Cy Nielson return with Drake Fellows, Justin Meis, Jack Carey, and Cristofer Melendez slotting into key bullpen roles. Melendez has touched 100 mph with his fastball several times this spring and could be a late-inning option for Manager Andy Fox and Pitching Coach Matt Ford.
- Hunter Barco is trending toward being one of Altoona’s top arms to open the 2025 season. Drafted 44th overall in 2022 by the Pirates out of the University of Florida amid a recovery from Tommy John surgery, Barco rebuilt his innings to 66 last year and reached Altoona for two starts before succumbing to a season-ending leg injury. The No. 7 prospect in the Pirates system according to MLB Pipeline, Barco worked with the pitching development staff in Florida to identify a slight mechanical change that should avoid a recurrence of the issue that ended his season early in 2024 and it has opened up a bit more velocity. A year ago he comfortably worked in the 93-96 range with his heater though there have been more 97’s and 98’s mixed in this spring.
- The grind never stopped for infielder Kervin Pichardo this past off-season. After playing on an everyday basis for the Curve, he took just a few days off before heading out to Arizona Fall League along with 2024 Curve teammates Sammy Siani, Termarr Johnson, Valentin Linarez and Eddy Yean. There, he hit .309 with a .952 OPS in 17 games before heading down to the Dominican Republic to play winter ball with Gigantes del Ciabo where he shared a clubhouse several major league veterans, including Jorge Bonifacio, Wilmer Difo, Jose Siri and Leury Garcia. The highly competitive Dominican Winter League is a great development experience for a young player like Pichardo, as a 23-year-old he was one of the youngest players to suit up for Gigantes.
Stay tuned to the Around the Curve blog all week for our 2025 Spring Break: Young Bucs Edition series, with Jon Mozes and Preston Shoemaker reporting from Bradenton.
Barco & Bullpen Blank Baysox
BOWIE, MD – Hunter Barco extended his scoreless innings streak to 17.2 innings to begin the season, combining with Valentin Linarez, Wilken Ramos, and Cam Sanders to shutout the Chesapeake Baysox, 2-0, on Tuesday night at Prince Georges Stadium. Barco struck out eight batters and allowed just two over 4.2
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
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.
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
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