Mike Rabelo will have his third different job in three years with the Pirates’ coaching staff in 2022, being pegged as their new third base coach, per source.
The Pirates looked at internal candidates primarily for their successor to Joey Cora.
Rabelo, 41, served as the major league field coordinator last year, assisting in practice design, player development and acting as a bridge between the major league staff and minor-league players, among other duties.
Moving to third base coach will give Rabelo a more traditional role after being a jack of all trades in 2021.
He originally came to the Pirates in 2020 as the assistant hitting coach for then hitting coach Rick Eckstein. He had previously served as a minor-league manager in the Tigers’ farm system.
While Cora was praised for his work as an infield coach, the Pirates were thrown out at home 19 times this season, the most in the National League and trailing just the Royals and Yankees at 22. They also were thrown out at home the most times in 2019 (23) while sharing the National League title with the Braves in 2018 (23).
After retaining the entire coaching staff between 2020 and 2021, Eckstein was relieved of his duties in August and Cora was let go in October.
On Tuesday, sources told DK Pittsburgh Sports that former Brewers hitting coach Andy Haines will be named the Pirates’ next hitting coach. The club has yet to announce either move.
These won’t be the last coaching move the Pirates make this offseason, either, as there are still one or two more additions coming, according to a source. All other members of the 2021 staff will return, though some roles could change, like it did for Rabelo.
In other Pirate news, catcher Michael Pérez cleared waivers and was outrighted to Class AAA Indianapolis. He was designated for assignment on Nov. 20.
