RELEASE: MARIOTTI NAMED PITCHING COORDINATOR

The Fieldhouse Pirates are thrilled to welcome John Mariotti as the organization’s new Pitching Coordinator.

Mariotti joins the Pirates after co-founding the Baseball Development Group (BDG) in Toronto.

“I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to join Fieldhouse,” Mariotti said, “and I look forward to contributing to the growth and development of the program.”

Mariotti will take the lead in the pitching department throughout the entire organization, with help from the current pitching staff at Fieldhouse.

“There’s few people that have John’s passion for pitching development,” said George Halim, Pirates’ Director of Player Development. “When you combine his playing experience with his knowledge of pitching, coupled with his ability to relay information and willingness to pass on what he knows to the next generation of athletes, he fits in with the direction we’re going at Fieldhouse.”

“We are proud to be working with John Mariotti, who has an excellent track record of improving top pitching prospects,” said Bob Hooper, Pirates’ President and Director of Business Operations. “It’s all about the players… we know our guys spend 80 percent of their time in development and practice time, so we are really excited to see what happens this training season.”

Current Pitching Coordinator Ian Harvey will step down from his current role at the conclusion of the 2019 season due to personal commitments, and will move into the role of Assistant Pitching Coordinator.

“I’m happy they found the right pitching professional to dedicate the time and energy necessary,” Harvey said. “I look forward to working with John and continuing to work with the rest of the Fieldhouse coaching staff to build the pitching program.”

A 44th-round selection by the Anaheim Angels in the 2003 MLB Draft, Mariotti opted to attend Gulf Coast CC in Panama City, Florida. There, he earned Second Team All-Conference honors, where he was again selected by the Angels in the 36th Round of the 2004 MLB Draft. The following season, he went on to be First Team All-Conference, and Second Team All-State while earning a scholarship to Coastal Carolina University.

He pitched two seasons for the Chanticleers before getting drafted a third time. He was taken in the 18th Round of the 2007 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles, where he signed began his professional career. Mariotti spent the next seven seasons in professional baseball, making it up to Double-A in 2009. He also spent two seasons with the Quebec Capitales of the Can-Am League, and also represented Italy at the 2013 World Baseball Classic, squaring off against the USA and Mexico.