Pittsburgh’s front office releases Curve roster for upcoming season
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The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Tuesday an initial list of 29 players reporting to Altoona for the Curve's 2025 season which begins Friday at home with the Chesapeake Baysox.
The 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 top-100 prospects in all of Minor League Baseball.
Headlining the returning group of players for the Curve are No. 4 Pirates prospect Termarr Johnson (infielder) and No. 7 Pirates prospect Hunter Barco (pitcher). Johnson is ranked as the No. 81 prospect in all of baseball according to MLB Pipeline. Additional Pirates Top 30 rated prospects by MLB Pipeline on the roster include No. 11 Jack Brannigan (infielder), No. 13 Mitch Jebb (utility) and No. 14 Anthony Solometo (pitcher).
On the mound, 10 pitchers who have spent time with the Curve are slated to open the season in Altoona led by starters Barco, Solometo, Po-Yu Chen. Joining them in key bullpen roles are Emmanuel Chapman, Nick Dombkowski, Valentin Linarez, Justin Meis, Cristofer Melendez, Cy Nielson, and Jaden Woods.
Additional returners among the position player group include Abrahan Gutierrez (C), Wyatt Hendrie (C), Nick Cimillo (inf), Brenden Dixon (inf), 2024 Team MVP Kervin Pichardo (inf) and outfielders Jase Bowen, Tres Gonzalez and 2024 Altoona Curve Unsung Hero winner Sammy Siani.
Rounding out the pitching staff are two players slated to make their Double-A debut in Derek Diamond and Wilber Dotel. Pitcher Wilkin Ramos returns to the Eastern League after suiting up for Binghamton in 2023 and '24, he was originally signed by the Pirates and selected in the minor league Rule Five by the New York Mets in 2023.
Pitcher Cam Sanders is also assigned to open the season in Altoona after six seasons as a Cubs farmhand at Double-A and Triple-A.
The position player group is also highlighted by Aaron McKeithan (C), Imanol Vargas (inf.) and Hudson Head (of). McKeithan was a minor league Rule V draft selection by the Pirates this off-season after he spent four seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals minor league system, reaching Double-A Springfield in 2024.
Vargas signed as minor league free agent after seven minor league seasons with the Dodgers and Angels and is expected to mix in at first base and designated hitter.
Brannigan and Jebb, both ranked as Top 30 prospects, figure to play prominent roles for the Curve this season. Head, who was acquired from the San Diego Padres in the 2021 Joe Musgrove trade, is slated to make his Double-A debut this season.