Wyatt Toregas Explained

Wyatt Toregas
Position:Catcher / Manager
Birth Date:2 December 1982
Birth Place:Fairfax, Virginia, United States
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:August 1
Debutyear:2009
Debutteam:Cleveland Indians
Finalleague:MLB
Finaldate:June 12
Finalyear:2011
Finalteam:Pittsburgh Pirates
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Batting average
Stat1value:.164
Stat2label:Home runs
Stat2value:0
Stat3label:Runs batted in
Stat3value:6
Teams:

Wyatt Reeder Toregas (born December 2, 1982) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) catcher who played for the Cleveland Indians in 2009 and for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011. He is also the former manager of the Mississippi Braves, the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, and previously managed the West Virginia Black Bears, West Virginia Power, and Bradenton Marauders.

Playing career

Amateur career

High school

He attended South Lakes High School in Reston, Virginia where he excelled in wrestling, golf, and baseball.[1]

College

After graduation from high school in 2001, Toregas played college baseball at Virginia Tech. In 2003, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[2] [3]

Pro career

Cleveland Indians

After being drafted by the Indians in 2004, Toregas played for the minor league teams Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Lake County Captains, Kinston Indians, Akron Aeros, and Columbus Clippers. A catcher and a non-roster invitee to spring training with the Indians, Toregas throws and bats right-handed. He also attended Indians spring training in 2009 but returned to the Columbus Clippers on March 24, 2009.[4] Toregas made his Major League debut and got his first hit in his first Major League at bat on August 1, 2009. Toregas was released by the Indians after the 2010 season.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Toregas signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates on January 18, 2011. The Pirates purchased his contract on June 9, adding him to the active roster.[5] He was designated for assignment on June 13.[6] After the 2011 season, he elected for free agency.[7]

Coaching career

In November 2011, Toregas signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a player-coach;[8] he served as the first base coach for the 2012 Indianapolis Indians. In January 2015, Toregas was named as the first manager in the franchise history of the Pirates' Short-Season-A affiliate, the West Virginia Black Bears.[9] In March 2021, he was named as the manager of the Mississippi Braves, the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves.[10] [11] On June 11, 2021, Toregas resigned as manager of the Mississippi Braves. No reason or replacement has been announced.[12]

Personal life

Toregas was raised in Ashburn, Virginia.[13]

Toregas is a member of the Chickasaw Nation.[14] He has Chickasaw heritage through his grandmother Jalna Wenonah Wolf Toregas, and his memories of her stories about the tribe led him to pursue official membership near the end of his playing career.

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: CHICKASAW MANAGER LEADS MLB PIRATES' CLASS A AFFILIATE . 17 January 2020 . Chickasaw Times . January 2020.
  2. Web site: Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League . capecodbaseball.org . September 25, 2019.
  3. Web site: 2003 Harwich Mariners . thebaseballcube.com . September 23, 2021.
  4. https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/03/24/sports/AP-BBA-Indians-Moves.html?_r=1 Indians Send Sowers, 6 Others to Minors
  5. Web site: Brink. Bill. Pirates DL Snyder, call up Toregas. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 9 June 2011.
  6. Web site: Links. Zach. Pirates Designate Wyatt Toregas For Assignment. MLBTradeRumors.com. June 12, 2011 . 13 June 2011.
  7. Web site: Axisa. Mike. 22 Triple-A Players Elect Free Agency. MLBTradeRumors.com. October 2011 . 1 October 2011.
  8. Web site: Williams. Tim. Pirates Sign Six Minor League Free Agents. November 9, 2011.
  9. Web site: Pirates Notebook: Assignments Finalized. Rob. Biertempfel. January 15, 2015.
  10. News: Staff reports. Braves name minor-league managers, staffs. 2021-04-04. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. English.
  11. News: Atlanta Braves announce Mississippi coaching staff for 2021 . September 30, 2021 . MILB.com . March 30, 2021.
  12. Web site: Vedak. Guarav. Mississippi Braves Manager Wyatt Toregas Resigns. June 11, 2021 .
  13. http://www.hokiesports.com/baseball/players/2004/toregas.html hokiesports.com :: Football
  14. "Chickasaw manager leads MLB Pirates’ Class A affiliate", The Chickasaw Times, December 2015 issue.