While the West Virginia Black Bears are the defending New York-Penn League champions, wins and losses are the last thing on the minds of manager Wyatt Toregas and the 2016 edition of the Single-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“The development of these players as players and men is our big goal, I think we are gaining ground, but I think we have a ways to go,” Pittsburgh Pirates Short-Season affiliate West Virginia Black Bears manager Wyatt Toregas said following a game against the State College Spikes last week. “We aren’t worried about the wins and losses right now as much as we are worried about creating Major League Baseball players.”
As the Black Bears enter the August 15th All-Star break following a three-game series against the Spikes, Torregas feels the continued development of his team will be key to the success of West Virginia entering the second half of the season.
“We haven’t quite met our goal yet, but we want to make sure we are developing their skills the skills they’re going to need to play at the Major League level and make sure they are meeting the standards the Pittsburgh Pirates expect of them on and off the fans,” Toregas said.
Overcoming a Slow Start
One of the best examples of Toregas and the Black Bears focus on development is the emergence of the Pirates’ first round draft pick this season, Will Craig, after a slow start to his professional career. Craig began his career struggling mightily at the plate, with his batting average creeping steadily above the Mendoza line the since first hitting the .200 mark July 24th.
“I think when he got here he was feeling a lot of pressure that wasn’t there. He got off to a really slow start, but the last two weeks he’s really been swinging the bat well,” the second-year manager said of his starting third baseman.
Preparation has been key for the former Wake Forest standout as he continues in his first professional season and sees his hit streak reach 16 games.
“He (Craig) has been our most consistent hitter and has started to realize what he needs to do every day. I think he thought it would be easier at the right spot, but now he’s realizing he needs to show up every day and get his mind and body right, he’s starting to get into a more consistent hitting approach,” Toregas said.
While Craig’s upward trend as a professional hitter continues, his development and the development of his teammates will be integral in chasing the division leading Spikes who they trail by 13 games leading into their three-game series.
All Stars in Training
The Black Bears head into their upcoming series with the Spikes sitting at 22-28 on the season and look to enter the All-Star break with some momentum, however, many on the team and the coaching staff will be staying busy as part of the New York-Penn League All-Star festivities.
Toregas will be leading the South All-Star team and will be assisted by his pitching and hitting coaches with the Black Bears, Mark DiFelice and Jonathan Prieto. Joining the coaching staff will be pitchers Daniel Beddes and Brandon Bingel, catcher Kevin Krause, infielder Kevin Mahala, and outfielders Hunter Owen and Sandy Santos.
Full Audio
Here now is the full audio of Toregas’ recent comments
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