The Pirates will have a different manager at Triple-A Indianapolis for a third consecutive season.
Andy Barkett, who led the Indianapolis Indians to an International League West Division title in his only season as manager in 2017, was named the Red Sox' assistant hitting coach Saturday afternoon.
Barkett joined the Indians after spending 2016 as an assistant hitting coordinator in the Pirates' organization, working extensively with Austin Meadows at Double-A Altoona. Prior to that, Barkett managed the Marlins' Double-A affiliate for five seasons, where he had a roster that included future major leaguers Marcell Ozuna and Christian Yelich.
Thank you @Pirates & @indyindians for an amazing year! Will never forget it! Super excited to join the @RedSox & @ac13alex coaching staff!
— Andy Barkett (@abarkett17) November 4, 2017
He was hired as the Indians' manager last December, replacing Dean Treanor, who left to become the Marlins' bullpen coach. Under Barkett's leadership, the Indians went 79-63, capturing their fourth division title in the past six seasons, but they were eliminated in Game 5 of the Governors' Cup semifinals.
One potential replacement is Stan Kyles, who has been with the Pirates' organization since 2013 and spent three-and-a-half seasons as the Brewers' bullpen coach. He has been the Indians' pitching coach the past three seasons, guiding the rotation to a 57-38 record and 3.39 ERA with 68 quality starts in the 2017 regular season.