Wyatt Toregas


Wyatt Reeder Toregas is an American former Major League Baseball catcher who played for the Cleveland Indians in 2009 and for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011. He is also the former manager of the Mississippi Braves, the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, and previously managed the West Virginia Black Bears, West Virginia Power, and Bradenton Marauders.

Playing career

Amateur career

High school

He attended Park View High School in Sterling, Virginia where he excelled in wrestling, golf, and baseball.

College

After graduation from high school in 2001, Toregas played college baseball at Virginia Tech. In 2003, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

Pro career

Cleveland Indians

After being drafted by the Indians in 2004, Toregas played for the minor league teams Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Lake County Captains, Kinston Indians, Akron Aeros, and Columbus Clippers. A catcher and a non-roster invitee to spring training with the Indians, Toregas throws and bats right-handed. He also attended Indians spring training in 2009 but returned to the Columbus Clippers on March 24, 2009. Toregas made his Major League debut and got his first hit in his first Major League at bat on August 1, 2009. Toregas was released by the Indians after the 2010 season.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Toregas signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates on January 18, 2011. The Pirates purchased his contract on June 9, adding him to the active roster. He was designated for assignment on June 13. After the 2011 season, he elected for free agency.

Coaching career

In November 2011, Toregas signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a player-coach; he served as the first base coach for the 2012 Indianapolis Indians. In January 2015, Toregas was named as the first manager in the franchise history of the Pirates' Short-Season-A affiliate, the West Virginia Black Bears. In March 2021, he was named as the manager of the Mississippi Braves, the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. On June 11, 2021, Toregas resigned as manager of the Mississippi Braves. No reason or replacement has been announced.

Personal life

Toregas was raised in Sterling, Virginia.
Toregas is a member of the Chickasaw Nation. He has Chickasaw heritage through his grandmother Jalna Wenonah Wolf Toregas, and his memories of her stories about the tribe led him to pursue official membership near the end of his playing career.