Submitted to The Dominion Post
GRANVILLE — The Pittsburgh Pirates named Kieran Mattison as the manager for the West Virginia Black Bears.
The Pirates also promoted 2017 manager Brian Esposito to manager of their Triple-A team, the Indianapolis Indians.
The rest of the field staff from the 2017 season will remain the same. Pitching coach Tom Filer will return for his third season with the Bears, and Jonathan Prieto will return for his fourth season as the hitting coach.
Filer and Prieto were on the 2015 coaching staff that led the Bears to the New York-Penn League title.
Athletic Trainer Jorge Islas will return for his second year with the team.
Mattison, 37, from Anderson, Calif., began his career in professional baseball in 2002. The right-handed pitcher spent time with the Royals, Indians and Dodgers organizations.
In 2016, he became the manager of the Gulf Coast League Pirates rookie level team. Last season, he spent his time managing the Pirates’ Dominican Summer League.
“I am very excited to manage the Black Bears this season and bring their fans quality, hard-nosed Pirates’ baseball, night-in and night-out,” Mattion said.
The Bears’ home opener is June 21, against the Batavia Muckdogs. Season tickets are for sale at 304-293-7653.
