Black Bears Manager David Carpenter believes in consistency. In a sport filled with highlight reels of towering home runs and “Top 10 Plays,” Carpenter believes an athlete’s greatest accomplishments are those that can be repeated every game...
Black Bears Manager David Carpenter believes in consistency. In a sport filled with highlight reels of towering home runs and “Top 10 Plays,” Carpenter believes an athlete’s greatest accomplishments are those that can be repeated every game.
“You have an opportunity to impress somebody from a different [professional] organization every single night, so you’re trying to go out there with your best every single night,” says Carpenter. “Winning is incredible and hitting home runs is great…but the focus is trying to give our players the best chance to play professionally while witnessing how far their talent and work ethic takes them.”
This athlete-first focus was the driving force behind Carpenter’s success on and off the field in 2023. As a first-year manager, the Fairmont, West Virginia, native’s approach to the game helped secure an MLB Draft League title – the second straight for the Black Bears – and guide thirteen players from the roster to major league contracts.
“I’m able to do this because of my coaching staff,” says Carpenter. “I’m very fortunate with the group I have, with [Ezequiel Carrera] and [Antonio Caballero] returning, and the addition of Andy [Hurtado].”
His returning coaching staff shares his enthusiasm for the game and decades of experience. Prior to coaching, Carrera made his big-league debut for the Cleveland Indians in 2011. Following eight productive seasons within MLB — most notably playing in 110 games for the 2016 Toronto Blue Jays — he retired in 2022. Antonio Caballero joined the staff last year, and with over 20 years of coaching and scouting experience, the former outfielder played an integral role in leading the team to its second league title.
“We became good at forming a cohesive unit, and it was easy to place trust in my staff because I knew I was getting the best out of them every day.”
Taking over pitching coach duties is newcomer Andy Hurtado, something Carpenter is happy to hand over.
“Naturally, I took over the pitching-coach duties last year. Being able to turn that over to Andy will be huge,” Carpenter says with a smile. “It’ll allow me to do my role, consistently, as manager, so we showcase [the players’] talents for scouts and crosscheckers in the right position at the right time.”
With his coaching staff set and a fresh season ahead of him, Carpenter is ready to lay the building blocks to another successful season. But as much as he values being able to perform consistently, he stresses that allowing the players to “play their way” is the most important part.
“One of the main factors in our success is letting guys be themselves. You give them guidelines to work with but giving them the freedom to go be the athletes they are is what gives them the strength to grow as players and people.”
Carpenter’s new team begins the season at home on Tuesday, June 4, against the Frederick Keys. For more information, please visit www.WestVirginiaBlackBears.com.
The West Virginia Black Bears today announced their coaching staff for the 2024 season under second-year manager, David Carpenter. Returning for the Black Bears are hitting coach Ezequiel Carrera and bench coach Antonio Caballero, with newcomer Andy Hurtado rounding out this season’s staff...
