Miguel Perez's path to becoming a part of the Pittsburgh Pirates' coaching staff was one of hard work and dedication. After spending 17 seasons in the Pirates' farm system in various roles such as player, coach, instructor, and manager, his call to the big leagues finally arrived when general manager Ben Cherington chose him to replace Justin Meccage, who was let go at the end of last season. Perez was truly grateful for this promotion, as evidenced by the constant ringing and buzzing of his phone with calls and texts from many happy people. He emphasized that this has been a long process and he has been blessed throughout. Many players he had seen and coached reached out to him after the news, which made him feel great. He really appreciates the entire process.

From Player to Manager

Perez first joined the Pirates in 2008 as a catcher with Double-A Altoona after being signed as a minor-league free agent. His last season as a player was in 2013, after which he transitioned into a full-time coach. Over the past three seasons, he served as the manager at Triple-A Indianapolis. Remarkably, 30 players he managed there have made their major-league debuts with the Pirates since 2022. This shows his ability to develop and guide young players.His experience as a player and manager has given him a unique perspective. He understands the challenges and opportunities that players face at different levels. This has made him highly respected within the Pirates' organization. As Pirates manager Derek Shelton said, "Miggy is one of the most highly respected members of our player development system who has not only had a meaningful impact on our players but also other managers and coaches throughout the organization." His passion for the organization and the intangibles he brings to the staff and players are something that the big-league level is excited about.

Baseball Lifelong

The 41-year-old Perez is truly a baseball lifer. His professional career began in 2000 when the Cincinnati Reds signed him as an undrafted international free agent from Venezuela. He played professionally for 12 years, with only a brief stint in the major leagues with the Reds in 2005. During that time, he played in two games, coming off the bench each time, and went 0 for 3. But his love for the game never wavered.His diverse experiences in the game have made him a valuable asset to the Pirates. He brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding to his new role as the bullpen coach. In this role, he will be tasked with improving a bullpen that disappointed last season. Pirates relievers were 25th in the major leagues in walks per nine innings, 27th in ERA, and 28th in WHIP. Perez is looking forward to trying to help key relievers like David Bednar get back on track in 2025.

Helping the Bullpen

In his new position, Perez is focused on improving the bullpen. He believes that his experience as a catcher will be valuable in building relationships with the pitchers. "I'm excited about this role, bringing the experience I have of being a catcher," Perez said. "That's what makes me excited about it. I love to build relationships with the pitchers. That was my strength back when I played. I'm going to reinforce a winning mindset in this."Closer David Bednar converted just 23 of 30 save opportunities and had a 5.77 ERA in 62 games last season after being selected to the All-Star Game in the previous two years. Perez is determined to help Bednar and other relievers get back to their best. He sees this as a great opportunity to make a positive impact on the team. "Being able to be sitting next to them at the highest level and being able to keep pushing them and get the best version of them would be great for me. It's exciting. I cannot be more grateful to be part of their process. Bullpen is going to be strong."The Pirates hope that Perez's perseverance will translate into a strong bullpen. His journey from a minor-league catcher to a respected coaching staff member is a testament to his dedication and talent. With his leadership, the Pirates' bullpen has the potential to become a force to be reckoned with in the major leagues.