Pelfrey returns as Flying Squirrels manager in 2023
RICHMOND, Va. – Dennis Pelfrey will return as the manager of the Richmond Flying Squirrels for the 2023 season, the team announced on Monday.
RICHMOND, Va. – Dennis Pelfrey will return as the manager of the Richmond Flying Squirrels for the 2023 season, the team announced on Monday.
Pitching coach Paul Oseguera, athletic trainer Chris Walsh and strength & conditioning coach Matt Jordan are also returning from last year’s staff. Cory Elasik will be the team’s new hitting coach, and Lipso Nava, who was on the staff in 2017 and 2019, will be the fundamentals coach.
This season will be Pelfrey’s eighth as a manager in professional baseball and his third with the Giants organization. After leading the High-A Eugene Emeralds to a championship in 2021, he guided the Flying Squirrels to their first postseason appearance since 2014 last year.
“I’m extremely grateful to be asked back to manage the Richmond Flying Squirrels this season,” Pelfrey said. “There is no place like The Diamond in baseball. It’s truly a special place with a front office that is outstanding and a fan base that creates an electric atmosphere second to none in minor league baseball.”
Last season, the Flying Squirrels won the Eastern League Southwest Division First-Half title with a 40-29 record. As a manager, Pelfrey has led his teams to the playoffs in five of his seven seasons.
As a player, Pelfrey spent six seasons playing professionally in the Frontier, Texas-Louisiana and Central Leagues. He began his professional coaching career in 2011 with the Gary SouthShore RailCats in Indiana. He landed his first managerial position with the Florence Freedom of the Frontier League in 2015, leading the team to the postseason in four of his six seasons. He joined the Giants organization in 2020.
Oseguera returns for his second season with the Flying Squirrels. Last year, Richmond’s pitching staff set a franchise record with 1,367 strikeouts, the third-most for a team in Eastern League history. He previously served as the pitching coach for the Low-A San Jose Giants in 2021, helping lead the team to its league championship that year. As a player, Oseguera was selected in the 16th round of the 2006 MLB Draft by the Giants out of UCLA and went on to pitch 11 professional seasons. He is a native of La Jolla, Calif.
“The coaching staff is going to be very dynamic this year with the return of Paul Oseguera for his second year as the pitching coach,” Pelfrey said. “He did a really good job for us last year, and I am excited to see how much more he can accomplish this season.”
Elasik joins the Flying Squirrels after serving as the hitting coach for Eugene in back-to-back championship seasons in 2021 and 2022. Before joining the Giants organization, Elasik was the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator for St. Johns River State College in Florida from 2015-2020. He resides in Orange Park, Fla.
“Cory Elasik has been a part of two championships over the last two seasons in Eugene,” Pelfrey said. “He’s an extremely well-prepared coach and will continue to get the best out of our hitters.”
Nava is back with the Flying Squirrels after managing the San Jose Giants in 2022. This year marks his 16th season with the Giants organization and his third stint with the Flying Squirrels. He spent 2017 as Richmond’s hitting coach and was the team’s fundamentals coach in 2019. An infielder in his playing days, Nava’s 17-year professional career included stops in the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs organizations as well as time spent playing in independent leagues, Mexico, Venezuela and Taiwan. Nava is a native of Maracaibo, Venezuela and resides in Saint Cloud, Fla.
“Lipso Nava is no stranger to The Diamond or my staff,” Pelfrey said. “We have worked really well together, and I am looking forward to another good year with him on our staff. He brings a wealth of experience and always makes players better.”
Walsh returns for his second season as the Flying Squirrels’ athletic trainer. Prior to coming to Richmond last year, Walsh spent the previous five seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Prior to his work in professional baseball, Walsh was an athletic trainer for professional and amateur hockey teams. A native of Caledon, Ontario, Walsh currently resides in Hobe Sound, Fla.
“Chris Walsh was arguably the most important piece to our 2022 playoff appearance,” Pelfrey said. “He is one of the best athletic trainers in the game and keeps us on the field with his outstanding attention to the players and coaches.”
Jordan will serve his second season as the Flying Squirrels’ strength & conditioning coach and his fifth with the Giants organization. Prior to joining Richmond, Jordan served in the same role with the High-A Eugene Emeralds and in the Dominican Summer League. Jordan is a native of Kingston, N.Y.
“Matt Jordan has an exceptional view on how to keep our players at an optimal performance level,” Pelfrey said.
Additional staff members, all new additions for 2023, include associate analyst Nate Buchwald, video technology associate Dagin Renck, performance nutrition associate Rachel Rodriguez and clubhouse manager Johnny Quinn.
The Flying Squirrels open the 2023 season at The Diamond on Friday, April 7 against the Reading Fightin Phils, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Opening Night presented by Chick-fil-A is sold out; however, tickets for the other 68 home games on the Flying Squirrels' 2023 schedule are available online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-FUNN (3866) or in person at the Flying Squirrels ticket office.
All-Diamond Team: Joe Panik
In 2025, The Diamond hosts its 40th and final season of professional baseball in Richmond. Between the Richmond Braves from 1985-2008 and the Richmond Flying Squirrels since 2010, countless future major leaguers have taken the steps from the first base dugout onto The Diamond’s playing surface.
Series Preview: Flying Squirrels return after Mid-Season Break with Richmond 34 Legacy Weekend and a performance from Three Sheets to the Wind
The Flying Squirrels are back from the Mid-Season Break with a record of 11-7 in the first half, tied for the top of the table in the Eastern League Southwest Division. The team will face off against the Harrisburg Senators, Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, from Friday, July 18
Grady Little named recipient of 2025 Paul Keyes RBI Award
RICHMOND, Va. – Former Richmond Braves manager Grady Little has been named the recipient of the 2025 Paul Keyes RBI Award, the Flying Squirrels announced on Monday.
Lonsway takes no-hit bid into eighth in 7-2 Squirrels win
AKRON, Ohio – Seth Lonsway held the Akron RubberDucks hitless until one out into the eighth inning as the Richmond Flying Squirrels closed their nine-game road trip with a 7-2 win at Canal Park.
Squirrels win Saturday-night battle in Akron, 5-3
AKRON, Ohio – A three-run fifth inning moved the Richmond Flying Squirrels ahead of the Akron RubberDucks in a 5-3 win on Saturday night at Canal Park. The Flying Squirrels (31-53, 10-7 second half) maintained their tie for first place in the Southwest Division second-half standings, picking up their seventh
Squirrels' streak snapped with 9-3 loss in Akron
AKRON, Ohio – The Richmond Flying Squirrels surrendered nine runs in the first two innings and lost to the Akron RubberDucks, 9-3, on Friday night at Canal Park.
All-Diamond Team: Ryan Klesko
In 2025, The Diamond hosts its 40th and final season of professional baseball in Richmond. Between the Richmond Braves from 1985-2008 and the Richmond Flying Squirrels since 2010, countless future major leaguers have taken the steps from the first base dugout onto The Diamond’s playing surface.
Squirrels win sixth straight, move into tie for first
AKRON, Ohio – John Michael Bertrand threw seven scoreless innings and Jairo Pomares hit a three-run homer to lift the Richmond Flying Squirrels to a 6-1 win over the Akron RubberDucks on Thursday night at Canal Park.
Dazzling defense downs 'Ducks for fifth straight Squirrels win
AKRON, Ohio – The Richmond Flying Squirrels topped the Akron RubberDucks, 2-1, on Wednesday night at Canal Park behind strong pitching and standout defensive plays. The Flying Squirrels (29-52-1, 8-6 second half) extended their season-best winning streak to five games and moved into third place in the Southwest Division’s second-half
Squirrels beat 'Ducks, 4-2, for fourth straight win
AKRON, Ohio – The Richmond Flying Squirrels picked up their fourth straight win on Tuesday night, beating the Akron RubberDucks, 4-2, at Canal Park.
Squirrels hammer Baysox, 12-2, to take weekend sweep
BOWIE, Md. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels poured on runs against the Chesapeake Baysox for a 12-2 win on Sunday afternoon at Prince George’s Stadium, capping a sweep in the three-game weekend series.
Squirrels hold off Baysox for 3-2 road win
BOWIE, Md. – Adrian Sugastey homered and threw out a base stealing attempt in the ninth to help the Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Chesapeake Baysox, 3-2, on Saturday night at Prince George’s Stadium.
The Nutshell: Triumph through trials
Cameron Cotter’s list of players he grew up competing against sounds like a present-day fantasy baseball roster.
Squirrels rally falls short in 5-4 loss to Baysox
RICHMOND, Va. – The Flying Squirrels lost to the Chesapeake Baysox, 5-4, on Thursday night in front of a sellout crowd of 9,810 at The Diamond. The Flying Squirrels (24-52, 3-6 second half) dropped two-of-three in the home series against the Baysox (34-42, 3-6). With the score tied, 2-2, in
All-Diamond Team: Javy López
In 2025, The Diamond hosts its 40th and final season of professional baseball in Richmond. Between the Richmond Braves from 1985-2008 and the Richmond Flying Squirrels since 2010, countless future major leaguers have taken the steps from the first base dugout onto The Diamond’s playing surface.
Squirrels split pair with Baysox on Wednesday
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Chesapeake Baysox, 6-4, on Wednesday night at The Diamond in the completion of Tuesday’s rain-suspended game before a 1-0 loss in the night’s regularly scheduled game.
Squirrels, Baysox suspended for rain on Tuesday
RICHMOND, Va. – Tuesday, July 1, 2025's game between the Richmond Flying Squirrels and the Chesapeake Baysox at The Diamond has been suspended in the middle of the third inning.
The Nutshell: Versatility is Invaluable
Thomas Gavello’s childhood eyes were always glued on Dustin Pedroia when watching baseball at home, despite his idol playing over 3,000 miles away.
Squirrels lose series finale to Fightins, 5-3
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels fell behind early and lost to the Reading Fightin Phils, 5-3, on Sunday afternoon at The Diamond.
Series Preview: Red, White and BOOM! Celebrate Independence Day at The Diamond!
Start your Independence Day celebration early at The Diamond next week! The Flying Squirrels are facing off against the Chesapeake Baysox for three games at The Diamond from July 1 to July 3 and will then head to Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie, Md. to finish the six-game series at
Early lead holds in 4-2 Squirrels loss to Fightins
RICHMOND, Va. – A pair of solo homers were the only runs of the night for the Richmond Flying Squirrels in a 4-2 loss to the Reading Fightin Phils on Saturday at The Diamond.
Pomares blasts walk-off homer in 6-3 Squirrels win
RICHMOND, Va. – Jairo Pomares entered off the bench in the bottom of the ninth and hit a walk-off, three-run homer to lift the Richmond Flying Squirrels to a 6-3 win over the Reading Fightin Phils on Friday night at The Diamond.
Squirrels shut out by Fightin Phils on Thursday
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels were held to three hits and lost to the Reading Fightin Phils, 1-0, on Thursday night at The Diamond.
Three-run eighth lifts Squirrels to 6-4 win
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth for a come-from-behind, 6-4 win over the Reading Fightin Phils at The Diamond.
All-Diamond Team: Mark DeRosa
In 2025, The Diamond hosts its 40th and final season of professional baseball in Richmond. Between the Richmond Braves from 1985-2008 and the Richmond Flying Squirrels since 2010, countless future major leaguers have taken the steps from the first base dugout onto The Diamond’s playing surface.