Jonel Pacheco Named 2008 Curve MVP
August 31, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ALTOONA- The Altoona Curve held their annual season-ending player awards ceremony prior to Sunday's game at Blair County Ballpark and highlighting the awards presented was the announcement that first baseman Jonel Pacheco has been named the club's 2008 Most Valuable Player.
Pacheco finished Sunday's contest with a .286 average, 17 doubles, 12 home runs and 52 RBI in 115 games. The 25-year old is in his first Double-A season after spending most of the 2007 campaign at Low Class-A Hickory, where he hit .315 with 27 home runs and 99 RBI in 119 games. He also appeared in nine games at High Class-A Lynchburg in 2007.
The native of Venezuela is in his second season in the Pittsburgh Pirates' system after signing as a minor league free agent in November 2006. Pacheco previously spent time in both the Cleveland Indians (2001-03) and New York Mets (2004-06) organizations.
The Curve also presented their annual "Pitcher of the Year" award to reliever Juan Mateo. In 32 appearances out of the Curve bullpen, Mateo, who was signed as a minor league free agent in early May, is 7-1 with five saves and a 2.12 ERA. Over his last 18 outings, he is 5-0 with a 0.92 ERA (39.1 IP/4 ER) and has tossed 19 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings.
Catcher Milver Reyes was named the winner of the club's annual "Unsung Hero Award", which is given to the player who most contributed to the success of the team outside of the box score or statistics page. Reyes is in his third season with Altoona and his ninth in the Pirates' organization after signing as a minor league free agent out of Venezuela in July 1999.
The Curve also presented the inaugural "Irwin Financial Big Money Player of the Year Award" to outfielder Brad Corley, who racked up the most nightly Big Money Plays throughout the course of the 2008 home season.
Altoona will finish their 2008 season schedule Monday afternoon at Blair County Ballpark against the Reading Phillies at 12:05 p.m. Ballpark gates will open at 10:30 a.m. and fans are encouraged to arrive early because the club will introduce the members of the 2008 Curve as part of the club's unique "Field of Dreams" presentation starting at 11:15. In addition, fans can feast on $1 hot dogs and half-price Curve Burgers all game long. Great seats are still available and can be purchased by calling (877) 99-CURVE, by visiting the Blair County Ballpark Ticket Office, or by logging on to AltoonaCurve.com.
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