Varela Returns to Manage 2015 Bristol Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced the 2015 Developmental Staff on January 15, 2015, with Edgar Varela returning to the Bristol Pirates for another season. The remainder of the 2015 staff joins Bristol for their first season.

Varela complied a 22-46 record in his first season as manager with the Bristol Pirates and the first season for the Bristol Pirates. Varela began his coaching career in 2008 with the Gulf Coast League Pirates before serving in coaching duties in West Virginia, State College and Bradenton. This, however, is not just the second year in Bristol for Varela. Varela was a member of the 2002 Bristol White Sox team, which later went on to win the Appalachian League Championship. Varela currently resides in Bradenton, Florida.

Joining Varela for the 2015 season is hitting coach, Austin McClune. McClune was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates organization in 2006 and spent five years as primarily an outfielder for the organization. McClune will join Bristol in 2015 in his first role in a coaching duty.

Jeff Johnson will serve as the pitching coach for the Bristol Pirates in 2015. Johnson played 38 games in the Major Leagues from 1991-1993 with the New York Yankees. Prior to joining Bristol's staff for 2015, Johnson served as pitching coach for the West Virginia Power in 2014. Like Varela, Johnson is in his eighth season with the Pirates organization.

Phil Mastro will join the Bristol staff as Athletic Trainer. Mastro served with the Gulf Coast League Pirates in 2014.

For more information about the Bristol Pirates and for the 2015 schedule, visit www.bristolpiratesbaseball.com.