The Pittsburgh Pirates have recently completed the process of filling their last coaching staff position. This significant move has brought a new member to the team's coaching hierarchy. On Thursday, the club made an announcement that Miguel Perez has been appointed as the bullpen coach. Perez, who is 41 years old, had been managing Triple-A Indianapolis for the past three seasons. Before taking on this role with Indianapolis, he had managed at various stops within the Pirates' system, such as Altoona, Greensboro, and Bristol.

The Impact of Miguel Perez

"Miggy is highly regarded within our player development system. He has not only had a profound impact on our players but has also influenced other managers and coaches throughout the organization," stated Pirates manager Derek Shelton. "His unwavering passion for the organization, combined with the intangible qualities he will bring to our staff and players, is something that excites us at the big league level."

Background and Awards

Perez received the 2015 Chuck Tanner Award during spring training. This award, which has been given annually since 2011 by the Pirates' player development department, is presented to someone on the minor league staff who best embodies Tanner's optimism, work ethic, and leadership. As a player, Perez was signed by the Cincinnati Reds as an amateur free agent in 2000. He spent 12 seasons in the minor leagues, with parts of four seasons in the Pirates' organization. In 2005, he made two appearances in the big leagues for the Reds.

Replacement and Transition

Perez takes over the position from Justin Meccage, who was let go following the end of the 2024 regular season. This transition marks a new chapter for the Pirates' coaching staff as they look to build on their performance and continue to develop their players. With Perez's experience and leadership, the team hopes to see positive changes in the bullpen and across the organization. His knowledge and expertise will be valuable assets as the Pirates strive for success in the upcoming seasons.