13 Altoona Curve Alumni make Pirates’ Opening Day Roster

CURVE, PA – The Pirates are ready to open their 2025 season this afternoon in Miami, and over a dozen former Curve stars will be at LoneDepot Park.

The Pirates announced their Opening Day roster this morning, which consists of 13 players who wore the Curve uniform on their way to Pittsburgh, headlined by RHP Paul Skenes and OF Andrew McCutchen. The roster also includes an additional three players who have made rehab appearances with the Curve: RHP David Bednar, LHP Ryan Borucki, INF Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

Skenes was named the Pirates Opening Day starter after a phenomenal rookie season that led to him becoming the first Curve alumnus to be named Major League Rookie of the Year. It marks the fifth consecutive season that a former Curve pitcher has started Opening Day for the Pirates (Mitch Keller – 2023-24, JT Brubaker – 2022, Chad Kuhl – 2021) and the 11th time overall (Jameson Taillon – 2019, Gerrit Cole – 2017, Zach Duke – 2007, 2010, Ian Snell – 2008, Paul Maholm – 2009.)

Outside of Pittsburgh, 28 total Altoona Curve alumni will begin the season with 12 different teams in the Major Leagues. A full list of Curve alumni on Opening Day rosters can be seen below:

Name - Position (Years in Altoona), Current Team

Adam Frazier – INF (2015), Pittsburgh
Andrew McCutchen – OF (2006-07), Pittsburgh
Bryan Reynolds – OF (2018), Pittsburgh
Carmen Mlodzinski – RHP (2022), Pittsburgh
Clay Holmes – RHP (2016, 2019), New York – NL
Elias Diaz – C (2014, 2016), San Diego
Endy Rodriguez – C/INF (2022, 2024), Pittsburgh
Jack Suwinski – OF (2021-22), Pittsburgh
Jacob Stallings – C (2015), Colorado
Jameson Taillon – RHP (2012-13, 2017), Chicago – NL
Jared Triolo – INF (2022), Pittsburgh
Ji-Hwan Bae – INF/OF (2021), Pittsburgh
Josh Bell – INF (2014-15), Washington

Justin Wilson – LHP (2010), Boston
Ke’Bryan Hayes – INF (2018), Pittsburgh
Kevin Newman – INF (2016-17), Los Angeles – AL
Luis Ortiz – RHP (2022), Cleveland
Luis Peralta – LHP (2024), Colorado
Max Kranick – RHP (2021), New York - NL
Mitch Keller – RHP (2017-18), Pittsburgh
Nick Gonzales - INF (2022), Pittsburgh
Omar Cruz – LHP (2021-2023), San Diego (WOULD BE MAJOR LEAGUE DEBUT)
Oneil Cruz – INF/OF (2021), Pittsburgh
Osvaldo Bido – RHP (2021), Athletics
Pablo Reyes – INF (2017-18), New York – AL
Paul Skenes – RHP (2023), Pittsburgh
Starling Marte – OF (2011), New York – NL
Tyler Glasnow – RHP (2015-16), Los Angeles - NL

In addition, these players will begin the season on Major League Injured Lists:

Gerrit Cole – RHP (2012), New York – AL
Jared Jones – RHP (2023), Pittsburgh
JT Brubaker – RHP (2017-18), New York – AL
Nick Mears – RHP (2019), Milwaukee

After 26 seasons in Altoona, the Curve have sent 217 players to the majors after playing in Altoona. Some climb the ladder to Pittsburgh while others find success in other places. However they do it, every single player to break into the The Show contributes to the legacy of Double-A baseball in Curve, PA!