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 Network.

Pirates ace Paul Skenes highlighted the 2024 Spring Breakout game, winning a highly anticipated match-up with Baltimore's Jackson Holliday, a game that also featured several Curve players.

Three players ranked in MLB.com’s Top 100: Bubba Chandler (15), Konnor Griffin (43), and Termarr Johnson (82) have been named to the Pirates roster for the Spring Breakout.

Full List of Players

Pitchers (Years with the Curve)

Hunter Barco, LHP (2024)
Brandon Bidois, RHP
Bubba Chandler, RHP (2023-24)
Khristian Curtis, RHP
Nick Dombkowski, LHP (2022-24)
Wilber Dotel, RHP
David Matoma, RHP
Zander Mueth, RHP
Wilkin Ramos, RHP
Anthony Solometo, LHP (2023-24)
Jaden Woods, LHP (2024)

Among the pitchers, former Curve starters Hunter Barco and Bubba Chandler are some of the most notable prospects on the roster. Chandler, in his second full season as a pitcher-only in 2024, was named Altoona's Pitcher of the Year after establishing himself as one of the top arms in the Pirates minor league system. With a dominant fastball that reaches 99 miles per hour, Chandler has made significant strides in the last two seasons with his breaking pitches with both his slider and curveball becoming true weapons for him next to his lively fastball and disappearing change-up. Chandler is likely ticketed to begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Indianapolis and very well

Hunter Barco made just two starts with the Curve during the 2024 season in his return from Tommy John surgery. Armed with a fastball that works in the 93-96 range, a slider and splitter, Barco works at a lightening-quick pace and enters the season as the No. 7 prospect in the Pirates system according to MLB.com. Drafted in the second round in 2023 out of the University of Florida, Barco is expected to be a full-go to start the 2025 season and is likely to be at the front of Altoona's rotation to start the 2025 season.

Lefty Nick Dombkowski has put himself on the prospect radar after flying up to Altoona in his first full professional season in 2022. Across three seasons in a Curve uniform, the West Springfield, MA native has recorded a 12-11 record and a 3.61 ERA in 71 games, 16 starts for the Curve. Featuring a four-pitch mix with elite control, Dombkowski may not have the name recognition that some others on the roster do; though he certainly has the tools to be an effective multi-inning reliever for a major league team.

Jaden Woods put his name on the major league radar in 2024 with a powerful 94-96 mile per hour fastball and a wipeout slider. Drafted in the 7th round in 2023 out of the University of Georgia, Woods quickly became one of Altoona's high-leverage arms in the second half of the 2024 season when he arrived from High-A Greensboro around the midway point of the season.

Rounding out the Curve alums on the pitching staff is lefty Anthony Solometo. Solometo is one of the Pirates most-prized prospects and takes the mound this spring looking to bounce back from a difficult 2024 season. After showcasing elite control of a 92-96 mile per hour fastball, slider and change-up in 2023, Solometo struggled with command and velocity last season; a campaign that saw him reset mid-season under the direction of Pirates minor league Pitching instructor Vic Black in Bradenton and return to Altoona late in the year, and is one of the names that fans ought to have their eyes drawn to during camp.

Position Players (Years with the Curve)
Catchers

Omar Alfonzo, C
Axiel Plaz, C
Richard Ramirez, C

Infielders

Tony Blanco Jr., INF
Jack Brannigan, INF
Tsung-Che Cheng, INF (2023-24)
Yordany De Los Santos, INF
Konnor Griffin, INF
Mitch Jebb, INF
Termarr Johnson, INF (2024)
Wyatt Sanford, INF
Jhonny Severino, INF

Outfielders

Edward Florentino, OF
Sammy Siani, OF (2024)
Esmerlyn Valdez, OF
Lonnie White, OF

Tsung-Che Cheng, one of the top defenders and speedsters in the Pirates minor league system, will likely start the Spring Breakout game. Cheng showed an improved power stroke at the plate during the 2024 season, matching for the team-lead with 11 home runs. Already one of the organization's most disciplined hitters, he earned 65 walks in 2024; second among Pirates minor leaguers, Cheng is likely ticketed to begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Indianapolis.

Termarr Johnson, the No. 82 prospect in the minors according to MLB Pipeline, played 14 games late in the 2024 season in Altoona. After a slow start, Johnson went 9-for-19 in his final five games of the regular season and is on the precipice of becoming the top position player prospect in the system. Armed with an elite eye at the plate, Johnson's swing is geared to do major damage on pitches down and in in the strike zone. Johnson, the fourth overall selection in the 2022 draft, is likely to see his name at the top of the Altoona lineup on Opening Day at PNG Field.

Sammy Siani was named Altoona's Unsung Hero in 2024 after his early-May arrival from High-A. The 37th overall selection in the 2019 draft, Siani was named by Baseball America as the Best Defensive Outfielder in the Pirates system heading into the 2025 season. Last season with Altoona he emerged as one of the team's most consistent hitters, ranking second in the Eastern League with six triples and third in the organization with 112 hits. Siani is likely to open the 2025 campaign with the Curve and be one of the team's most impactful players.

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Who else is on the radar for the 2025 Curve that you could see in the Spring Breakout game?

Infielders Jack Brannigan and Mitch Jebb are both probable to join the Curve during the 2025 season. Brannigan, finally healthy this year and one year removed from some swing changes to cut down on his swing-and-miss, has a chance to be a 20/20 player with major power and speed. Brannigan was Pittsburgh's third round pick in 2022 out of Notre Dame.

If you're looking for speed, look out for when Mitch Jebb arrives in Altoona. Jebb stole an organization-best 43 bases in 2024 at Greensboro and has a chance to threaten the Curve's single-season record for stolen bases in a season (45, set by Rajai Davis and Rich Thompson in 2005).

In the outfield, Lonnie White Jr.'s long-awaited arrival to Curve, PA could come this summer. White was committed to Penn State to play football when the Pirates selected him in the third round in 2021 and has overcome two seasons of persistent injury to finally get on the field at Greensboro in 2024. White has the type of power that could sprinkle souvenirs on the hillside in left field and enough speed to be a major contributor to the Pirates future.

On the mound, keep an eye out for Khristian Curtis and Brandon Bidois. Curtis has a lengthy injury history, but showcased an upper-90's heater in his debut season last year at Bradenton. Bidois has struck out 92 batters in 59.1 IP as a minor leaguer and could be a key cog in Altoona's bullpen mix in 2025.

Stay tuned for coverage of the Spring Breakout game on March 14.