The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced their 2016 Performance Team. The announcement was made by Assistant General Manager, Kyle Stark.
Dr. Chris Johnson returns for his second year as the organization's Director of Performance and Bernie Holliday enters his seventh season as the Director of Mental Conditioning. Brendon Huttmann, who served the Pirates as their Strength and Conditioning Coach the last four years, has been promoted to the position of Sports Science Coordinator for 2016.
Head Athletic Trainer Todd Tomczyk and Assistant Athletic Trainer Ben Potenziano will once again head up the training staff at the Major League level. Kevin "Otis" Fitzgerald joins the big league staff as Physical Therapist and Ricky White will be the Pirates Strength Coach.
Listed below are the Athletic Trainers and Strength Coaches for each affiliate in the minor league system:
INDIANAPOLIS (AAA)
Athletic Trainer: Lee Slagle
Strength Coach: Furey Leva
ALTOONA (AA)
Athletic Trainer: Dru Scott
Strength Coach: Alan Burr
BRADENTON (High A)
Athletic Trainer: Justin Ahrens
Strength Coach: Cole Durham
WEST VIRGINIA POWER (Low A)
Athletic Trainer: Dominic Cappozzo
Strength Coach: Joe Schlesinger
WEST VIRGINIA BLACK BEARS (SHORT-A)
Athletic Trainer: Matthew DenBleyker
GCL PIRATES (Rookie)
Strength Coach: Cory Cook
BRISTOL (Advanced Rookie)
Athletic Trainer: Jorge Islas
DSL PIRATES (Rookie)
Athletic Trainer: Tyler Brooks
Strength Coach: Rafael Sepulveda
The Development Leadership staff at Pirate City in Bradenton, FL, will consist of the following:
Carlo Alvarez, Strength & Conditioning Coordinator
Tyson Holt, Mental Conditioning Coordinator
Bryan Housand, Athletic Training Coordinator
Joe Hughes, Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Hector Morales, Mental Conditioning Coordinator
A.J. Patrick, Rehab Coordinator
Carl Randolph, Coordinator of Medical Services