Louisville Bats bring back manager Pat Kelly for 5th straight season

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Louisville Bats said Pat Kelly will remain the team's manager for the 2024 season.

The Bats, a Triple-A affiliate for the Cincinnati Reds, will be led by Kelly for the fifth straight season, Kelly ranks fourth in Bats' franchise history in career wins. According to the MiLB, Kelly is just one of four active minor league managers with at least 1,900 career wins.

Kelly has a record of 253-323 in four seasons with the Bats.

Virgil Vasquez is back as the team's pitching coach for the second straight year. Bats pitchers induced 126 double plays last season, the second-most in the International League. Alex Pelaez is going into his fourth season as hitting coach for the Bats. Last season, Louisville set franchise records in runs, hits, home runs and extra base hits.

Mike Jacobs served as third base coach in 2023. He returns for his third season with the Bats. Bryan LaHair joins the Bats as coach after spending six seasons with the Reds organization.

Steve Gober is the team's athletic trainer. He is the longest-tenured trainer in franchise history with eight seasons already completed. Athletic trainer Kelsey Branstetter is going into her second season with the Bats. Kyle Laughlin will serve as strength and conditioning coach, Jordan Reyes will be the team's performance coach while Nick Mundy will serve as video and technology specialist.

The Bats open the 2024 season at Slugger Field at 7:15 p.m. Friday, March 29 against the Indianapolis Indians.