The Altoona Curve sit atop the Eastern League Southwest Division standings with a 39-26 record. The Curve currently have several of the Pittsburgh’s top prospects on the squad to include Konnor Griffin and Termarr Johnson. Their pitching staff is one of the best in the Min0r Leagues as well, with Wilber Dotel leading that group in several statistical categories.
Dotel’s 2025 has been the culmination of several years spent developing in Pittsburgh’s farm system, coming to the U.S to make his professional
debut in 2021. Dotel would sign with the organization as an international free-agent in the 2019-2020 signing period when he was 18-years old. Now at age 22 and in his first season with Altoona, the Dominican prospect is leading the way as perhaps the best pitcher on the team.
Dotel entered this week with a team leading 130 strikeouts, which currently ranks as the fourth most in a single season by an Altoona pitcher. Ian Snell holds the all-time single season strikeout record with 142, a feat he accomplished in 2004. Dotel should get at least one more start to end the regular season, and although it’s unlikely that he gets 12 or more strikeouts in one performance, he can certainly climb the ranks among the other single-season strikeout leaders in franchise history. Justin Wilson achieved 134 strikeouts in 2010, with teammate Rudy Owens racking up 132 that same season.
In addition to strikeouts, Dotel leads the Curve in wins (7), ERA (4.08), and WHIP (1.21). He has a projected big league debut for 2026, and could serve as a solid option in the bullpen or occasional starter if he can get his control further refined but it is certainly showing to be much better in 2025 than in years past.
Wilber Dotel is ranked as the Pirates’ 28th best prospect.
