West Virginia Black Bears Name Former MLB Pitcher David Carpenter New Manager

The West Virginia Black Bears have a new manager and it’s another WVU alum coming home.

Former Mountaineer and MLB pitcher David Carpenter will manage the reigning Draft League champions for the 2023 season. Carpenter takes over for fellow WVU baseball great and MLB veteran Jedd Gyorko, who led the Black Bears to two winning seasons in as many years as manager and an MLB Draft League title in 2022. Gyorko finished with a 78-49-6 overall record during his tenure as manager.

The West Virginia Black Bears took home the first MLB Draft League Championship Tuesday night. (Photo Courtesy WV Black Bears)

“I’m really excited for the opportunity and can’t wait to see everyone at the ballpark this summer!!,” said Carpenter in a response to a tweet about the news.

I’m really excited for the opportunity and can’t wait to see everyone at the ballpark this summer!! https://t.co/G0796sOMRG

— David Carpenter (@DCarpenter29) February 7, 2023

Carpenter, 37, now becomes the sixth manager in the history of the Black Bears franchise. He embarked on a 14-year MLB career after being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 12th round of the 2006 MLB Draft. The former WVU catcher made the transition to pitcher after two seasons with the Cardinals, compiling over 200 games pitched between 2011-2019. Carpenter spent time with the Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, and Washington Nationals. Since retiring from his professional playing career in 2021, he’s been serving as the pitching coach for Fairmont State University.

Carpenter will officially assume the position starting on June first, just five days before the Black Bears begin their season at home against the Williamsport Crosscutters in a rematch from the championship series on June 6.