Pittsburgh Pirates Name Justin Meccage Bullpen Coach

As the Pittsburgh Pirates continue to fill out their MLB coaching staff their latest hire came on Tuesday when they named their new bullpen coach

The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to work toward filling out their coaching staff. The first domino fell on November 27th when Derek Shelton was named as the team’s new manager. Shortly after this, Don Kelly was hired as bench coach. In addition to the Kelly hire, it was announced that Joey Cora would remain as the team’s third base coach and that Rick Eckstein would return as hitting coach.

Then on Monday, Oscar Marin was named the team’s new pitching coach. You can read more about Marin and that hire here. When it was announced that Cora and Eckstein would retained, it was also announced that assistant pitching coach Justin Meccage would remain with the Pirates. However, it was originally reported that his coaching position was TBD. Now, we know what Meccage’s role will be with the 2020 Pirates.

On Tuesday, the Pirates announced that Meccage will be the team’s bullpen coach in 2020. This comes after Meccage served as the Pirates’ assistant pitching coach the past two seasons. He has served in one capacity or another in the Pirate organization since 2011.

Meccage was the pitching coach at short-season State College in 2011, before holding this same position with High-A Bradenton in 2013 and 2014. In 2015, Meccage became the pitching coach for Double-A Altoona. He served in this position with the Curve through 2016, while also coaching in the Arizona Fall League in 2015. Then in 2017, he served as the minor league pitching coordinator for the Pirates.

Meccage was selected in the 32nd round of the 2002 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees. Prior to becoming a professional coach, Meccage served as the pitching coach for Arkansas State University. With ASU, Meccage was named the Sun Belt Conference Assistant Coach-of-the-Year by SEBaseball.com in 2010.