The Pirates rounded out their 2017 coaching staff on Saturday with the additions of third-base and infield coach Joey Cora, bench coach Tom Prince, and first-base coach Kimera Bartee, per a team announcement.
Cora managed the Pirates’ Double-A affiliate in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he guided the Curve to a 76-64 record during the 2016 season. Prior coaching stints within the major league system included a nine-year position as third-base and bench coach with the White Sox and four years as bench coach for the Marlins. His addition to the Pirates’ major league staff comes on the heels of former third-base and infield coach Rick Sofield’s departure.
Prince, another former manager for Double-A Altoona, has been promoted to bench coach after serving as the club’s field coordinator in 2016. Not only has he spent the past 13 seasons within the Pirates’ system, but he spent the majority of his major league catching career on the Pirates’ roster from 1987 to 1993.
Bartee joins the Pirates’ major league crew after nine seasons as outfield and baserunning coordinator for the team’s minor league affiliates. His experience within the organization was cited as a crucial reason for his promotion to first base coach, though he is also expected to oversee the outfield and baserunning situation for the major league club in 2017.
The remainder of the Pirates’ coaching staff will stay the same for 2017, albeit with some roles shifted around to accommodate the newcomers. Former bench coach Dave Jauss has reverted to his prior position as quality control coach, while the Pirates have extended a spot on their player development team to former coach Brad Fischer.
