The Pittsburgh Pirates finalized coaching assignments for their farm teams for the upcoming 2016 season.
Manager Dean Treanor returns for his sixth season at the helm of the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. The Indians are coming off a season in which they lost in the Governors’ Cup championship to the Columbus Clippers. Treanor will be joined by Butch Wynegar at pitching coach and Stan Kyles will be directing the hitters for the Indians.
Former major league All-Star Joey Cora will be entering his first season as manager for the Double-A Altoona Curve in 2016. Cora, the ninth manager in Curve history, will be assisted by hitting coach Kevin Riggs and pitching face Justin Meccage. Both Riggs and Meccage were on the Altoona coaching staff last season.
Returning to the dugout for his second season at the helm of Advanced A Bradenton Marauders will be Michael Ryan. Ryan will be joined by pitching coach Jeff Johnson and hitting coach Keoni De Renne. The Marauders finished 74-64 under the guidance of Ryan in 2015.
Brian Esposito returns for his second season directing the Low-A West Virginia Power. Under the direction of Esposito, the Power won a franchise-record 87 games in 2015. The second-year West Virginia manager will be joined by Matt Ford and Ryan Long on his staff. Ford will direct the pitchers, while Long will guide the Power hitters.
Defending New York-Penn League Champions, the West Virginia Black Bears are bringing back the manager who led the team to its first championship, Wyatt Toregas. The Black Bears finished with a 42-34 record in 2015 under first-year manager Toregas. Looking to defend their championship, West Virginia will have Jonathan Prieto assist Toregas with handling the Black Bears hitters while Mark Defelice will be handling the pitchers.
Edgar Varela will be guiding the Advanced-A Bristol Pirates in 2016. The Pirates finished the 2015 season with a 29-36 record in the Appalachian League. Varela will be assisted by Tom Filer, pitchers, and Austin McClune who will be the hitting coach.
The Gulf Coast League Pirates will be under the direction of manager Milver Reyes. The Pirates ended the 2015 season with a 28-31 record overall. Reyes will be joined on his staff by hitting coach Kory DeHaan and pitching coach Elvin Nina.
Pirates minor leaguers report to spring training report dates will be released in the near future.
