PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates on Tuesday announced their Minor League coaching staffs for the 2018 season, introducing a new manager at Triple-A Indianapolis while keeping their championship-winning manager in place at Double-A Altoona.
Brian Esposito will move up from Class A Short-Season West Virginia to lead Indianapolis this year, the Bucs announced. Michael Ryan will be back in the manager's office for Altoona, which won the Eastern League championship last season.
Joining Esposito in Triple-A are hitting coach Ryan Long and pitching coach Stan Kyles. Hitting coach Keoni De Renne and pitching coach Bryan Hickerson will round out the Double-A coaching staff.
Gera Alvarez will return to Class A Advanced Bradenton for his second season as manager. Matt Ford will be the Marauders' pitching coach, while Butch Wynegar -- previously the Triple-A hitting coach -- will serve in the same role in Bradenton.
Wyatt Toregas is back with Class A West Virginia for his second season as manager. He will be joined by two new coaches, including a former Pirate. Joel Hanrahan, who began his coaching career last year, will move up a level to serve as the Power's pitching coach. Chris Petersen will join West Virginia's staff as the hitting coach.
Below are the rest of the Pirates' Minor League coaching assignments.
Class A Short-Season West Virginia
Manager: Kieran Mattison
Hitting coach: Jonathan Prieto
Pitching coach: Tom Filer
Rookie-level Bristol
Manager: Miguel Perez
Hitting coach: Austin McClune
Pitching coach: Joey Seaver
Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Pirates
Manager: Dave Turgeon
Hitting coach: Kory DeHaan
Pitching coach: Drew Benes
Rookie-level Dominican Summer League Pirates
Manager: Gavi Nivar
Hitting coach: Luis Natera
Pitching coach: Dan Urbina