Pirates name 3 new managers at Minor League affiliates

BRADENTON, Fla. -- The Pirates announced their 2026 Minor League coaching assignments on Thursday, a list that includes new skippers at three levels.

Eric Patterson, Triple-A Indianapolis’ bench coach in 2025, was promoted to manager for the upcoming season. He replaces Shawn Bowman, who was promoted to Major League field coordinator this offseason.

Newcomers to the Indians’ fold include JD Closser (catching and game-planning coach), Casey Harms (hitting coach) and Nasusel Cabrera (pitching coach). Cabrera was promoted to replace Cibney Bello, who joined the Pirates’ staff as an assistant pitching coach following the resignation of Thomas Whitsett on Feb. 13.

Drew Benes (pitching coach) and Eric Munson (hitting coach) will reprise their roles in ’26.

Andy Fox will return to manage Double-A Altoona for a second season after leading the Curve to a postseason berth in 2025. Among other moves, Justin Orton was promoted from Single-A Bradenton to assume the role of Altoona's hitting coach.

High-A and Single-A each have new skippers, with José Mosquera promoted to take over at Greensboro, and Gera Alvarez chosen to lead the Marauders.

Mosquera, who began his career with Pittsburgh as a scout in 2016, has served in various roles since, including manager of the Pirates’ Dominican Summer League and Florida Complex League teams. He will manage Team Colombia in next month’s World Baseball Classic for a stretch that begins with an exhibition game against the Pirates on March 3.

Alvarez is joined by new hitting coaches Ryan Powers and Jon Prieto and returns pitching coach Matt Ford for a third stint. Alvarez, who also managed Bradenton from 2017-18, has been with the Pirates’ organization since 2011.

The full list of coaching assignments can be found here: