RiverDogs Tap Al Pedrique for Manager

Someone new will be calling the shots in the Charleston RiverDogs dugout next season.

Pedrique replaces Carlos Mendoza, who has been named a roving defensive coach for the Yankees’ minor league teams.  Pedrique will be the fifth RiverDogs manager in as many years and follows Mendoza (2012) Aaron Ledesma (2011), Greg Colbrunn (2010) and Torre Tyson (2009).

Pedrique played three seasons in the Majors with the New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers, and he served as the interim coach of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2004. He has also been the bench manager for the Houston Astros.

“Al Pedrique is a highly respected professional who has wide and varied experiences in the game,” Mark Newman, the Yankees’ senior vice president for baseball operations said in a press release.  “He will provide great leadership for our young prospects in Charleston.”

The team also announced Danny Borrell as pitching coach; P.J. Pilittere as hitting coach; Justin Tordi as first base coach; Mike Becker  as trainer; Joe Giangrasso as strength and conditioning coach; and JR Bassett as clubhouse manager. More information about all of the new RiverDogs personnel is included here.

The RiverDogs open the 2013 season on Thursday, April 11, when the Augusta GreenJackets invade Riley Park.