The Pirates have added Miguel Perez to manager Derek Shelton’s staff as bullpen coach. The former catcher spent time in the Pittsburgh organization as a player and served as a manager in the Pirates’ farm system for seven of the past eight seasons, including the last three with Triple-A Indianapolis.
In the following Q&A, Perez discusses his new role, the collection of arms in the Pirates’ bullpen, and how his experiences as a Minor League manager helped to prepare him for what lies ahead.
How do you feel about joining the Pirates’ Major League coaching staff as bullpen coach?
Miguel Perez: It’s an honor for me being promoted from Triple-A manager to the Major League staff. This is the third time I’ve had this kind of feeling. The first was back when I signed to play professional baseball. The second was when I got called up to the big leagues as a player (with the Cincinnati Reds in 2005). And the third was when I talked to Shelty about becoming the bullpen coach. It’s a great feeling. My family is excited, and I’m pumped to be able to help the Pittsburgh Pirates accomplish our goals.
A lot of baseball fans may not realize how much communication there is between the Triple-A manager and the big league manager. How would you describe it?
MP: There’s definitely a lot of communication and conversations. It was three years I spent at Triple-A as the manager, and that’s how we created a relationship, Shelty and I. We would talk a couple times a week, and one of them was usually on Monday -- which is an off-day at Triple-A -- to talk about the players. He always followed what was going on with them. I can tell you that Shelty did a great job of communicating.
How would you summarize the duties of the bullpen coach?
MP: Being the bullpen coach is about creating winning mentalities and preparing guys for certain situations. Anticipating what can happen and making sure they’ll be ready should the opportunity arise. It’s basically getting them ready to step on the field and making sure that when they’re going from the bullpen to the mound, they have everything they need to execute what they need to execute.
What do you think about the collection of arms and talent the Pirates have in the bullpen heading into 2025?
MP: We’re going to have a pretty good group coming out of the bullpen. David Bednar has been an All-Star and Colin Holderman has a great arm, too. Those are definitely two of the main guys. I’m obviously new to this role, but I know we have a large group of guys that are going to be going to Spring Training to compete for big roles. I’m excited about the group.
Are there certain qualities you want to see in all your relievers?
MP: The main thing is to have conviction when you step on the mound. Eric Gagne was one of the best closers ever, and he used to say, “When I step on the field, the game is over.” That’s what we’re looking to have out of the bullpen -- guys with conviction that attack with their best stuff. And we have a group that can do that.
What are your thoughts on going from the broad role of a manager to a more specialized role as bullpen coach?
MP: I’m going to be watching the game from a different spot, the bullpen instead of the bench, but there are similarities between the two roles. I’m still going to be trying to anticipate situations and prepare for situations. That’s the connection that I see between the two. Not that I’m going to be making any decisions, but I’m going to make sure guys are ready when Shelty makes a decision or grabs the phone to make a call.
You were a Minor League skipper for seven years and managed at, basically, every level of the Pirates’ system. How did that help you grow as a baseball person and prepare you for the role that you’re stepping into?
MP: I think if we go a little farther back, being a catcher helped me to navigate the different levels of Minor League baseball. When I was a player, I was huge into relationships, especially with pitchers. And as a coach and a manager you really need to connect with players and make them understand that the name on the front of the jersey is bigger than the name on the back. You also try to determine, about each player, what’s in the bubble above their head. Understanding where the players are, having compassion, and being there for them -- all of that is important. I’m going to go into this new challenge with the same mentality and work to be the best coach that I can be for the players.
What’s your game plan between now and the start of Spring Training in Bradenton, Fla., in February?
MP: Well, I live in Bradenton with my family. We live close to the Pirate City complex. So, being able to be with my family while I’m preparing for Spring Training makes my days fun. There are going to be a lot of activities moving forward, especially in January when we have mini-camps. I’ve been studying the players and learning the players. And guys that I’ve had in the past ... I’ve been connecting with them via texts and phone calls. And I’m looking forward to connecting with all the players soon.