The West Virginia Black Bears today announced their coaching staff for the 2024 season under second-year manager, David Carpenter. Returning for the Black Bears are hitting coach Ezequiel Carrera and bench coach Antonio Caballero, with newcomer Andy Hurtado rounding out this season’s staff.

Ezequiel Carrera returns to Carpenter’s staff for his second season in West Virginia. As the hitting coach, the former Major League outfielder and Venezuelan native helped lead the team to a 31-16 record the second half of the 2023 season. Prior to coaching, Carrera spent time playing for the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners before making his big-league debut for the Cleveland Indians in 2011. Following eight productive seasons within MLB — most notably playing in 110 games for the 2016 Toronto Blue Jays — Carrera retired in 2022.

Joining Carrera for another season in Morgantown is bench coach Antonio Caballero. Formerly a member of the Frederick Keys staff (2022), Caballero made his coaching debut for the Black Bears last year. With over 20 years of coaching and scouting experience, the former outfielder played an integral role in leading the team to its second league title. As a player, Caballero took the field for the single-A Hickory Crawdads, then a Pirates affiliate, before making his transition into scouting and player development.

Coach Andy Hurtado joins the staff for the 2024 season. No stranger to the Draft League, the Downey, California, native spent time with the Williamsport Crosscutters in 2023 under manager Jesse Litsch. Hurtado, a college pitcher, played baseball at Cal Poly Pamona and Cerritos College in California prior to joining the league as a coach.

The West Virginia Black Bears begin their season at home on June 4 against the Frederick Keys. First pitch for Opening Day is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and features a magnet scheduled giveaway with post-game fireworks sponsored by WVU Medicine.