Quick Facts
Biography
Wyatt Reeder Toregas (born December 2, 1982) is an American former professional baseball catcher and the current manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates' Short-Season A affiliate, the West Virginia Black Bears.
Playing career
Amateur career
High School
He attended South Lakes High School in Reston, Virginia where he excelled in wrestling and golf, as well as baseball.
College
After graduation from high school in 2001, Toregas played college baseball at Virginia Tech.
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 2007 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.
Personal life
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.