Pirates name Power coaching staff
Rick Sofield will assume the role of manager for the Power, a Class A affiliate of the Pirates. Sofield was selected by Minnesota in the first round of the 1975 Draft and played portions of three seasons in the Majors with the Twins. The former shortstop has five seasons of Minor League managerial experience on his resume, most recently in 2003 with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Sofield has served as the head coach of the University of South Carolina-Beaufort baseball team for the last four years.
Willie Glen will serve as the pitching coach for the Power during his first year within the Pirates' Minor League system. Glen was signed as an undrafted free agent by Toronto in 2001 and began his professional career as a Charleston Alley Cat. He spent 10 seasons playing ball, including four seasons in the independent Northern League. Glen was in the South Atlantic League during the 2011 season, serving as the pitching coach for the league champion Greensboro Grasshoppers.
Edgar Varela returns to the Power staff as a coach for 2012. Varela spent 2011 in State College in the same capacity after having served on the Power staff in 2009 and 2010. The former corner infielder was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2002 and appeared in 473 Minor League games over five seasons.
Former Power manager Gary Robinson will serve as a professional scout for the Pirates during the 2012 campaign. Former coaches Dave Howard, Jeff Johnson, Dave Turgeon and Gera Alvarez have moved on from West Virginia as well, but all remain within the Pittsburgh Pirates organization at various levels.
The West Virginia Power begin the 2012 season on April 5 at Hagerstown and will host Greenville on April 12 in the home opener at Appalachian Power Park.