HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- The Tri-State Coal Cats have announced their coaching staff for the 2025 Appalachian League season, highlighted by the return of manager Tommy Gregg, pitching coach Salomón Torres and hitting coach Roger Hill. The club also welcomes Justin Gomez as the team’s fourth coach.
Tommy Gregg – Manager
Gregg enjoyed the first season of Tri-State Coal Cats baseball so much, the Coal Cats and Appalachian League announced that Gregg will return to Tri-State for his second season as the team's manager.
“I'm so excited to be returning to Huntington and being the Tri-State Coal Cats manager,” Gregg said. “Looking forward to another successful and fun season with the fans, coaches and the players. Hopefully winning a championship this year. Also hope everyone in Huntington is excited for the season. GO CATS!”
In 2024, Gregg guided the ball club to a 22-26 record, including splitting the final 10 games of the season. Along the way, the Coal Cats developed young college-level talent, including a pair of All-Appalachian League honorees -- catcher Logan Poteet and outfielder Michael Rodriguez.
Gregg has more than 35 years of professional experience as a player and coach. He spent the 2023 season as a coach for the Pulaski River Turtles in the Appy League prior to coming to Huntington.
Salomón Torres – Pitching Coach
After a successful first season with the Tri-State Coal Cats, Torres will return as the team’s pitching coach for the 2025 season.
“I’m thrilled to return to the Coal Cats as their pitching coach,” Torres said. “It’s an incredible opportunity once again to work with talented young athletes and help them develop their skills both on and off the field. I’m looking forward to a season filled with growth, teamwork and passion for the game. Let’s go Gatos!!!”
In 2024, Torres played a key role in developing the team’s young pitching staff. His guidance helped several pitchers take significant steps forward in their development.
A former Major League pitcher, Torres enjoyed a successful career with the San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Montreal Expos, Pittsburgh Pirates and Milwaukee Brewers over his 12-year MLB career. In addition to his time in the Majors, Torres coached in the Dominican Summer League for the Expos after his initial retirement in 1997 before making a comeback in 2002 with the Pirates.
Roger Hill – Hitting Coach
The Tri-State Coal Cats are excited to announce that Hill will return as the team’s hitting coach for the 2025 season. Hill made a strong impression during his first season with the Coal Cats in 2024 and will continue to lead the team’s hitters in 2025.
“As a staff, we’ve gotten rid of our first-season kinks, and I’m looking forward to putting together better offensive production this summer,” Roger Hill said.
Hill brings decades of baseball experience to the Coal Cats, both on the field and in the dugout. In 2022, he was named the head coach of the West Los Angeles College baseball team, taking over the program after serving as an assistant coach with the Wildcats since 2014. His coaching résumé also includes time at Washington Preparatory High School and Compton Community College, and he served as a manager, coach and board member at Ladera Little League from 2005 to 2011.
Prior to joining the Coal Cats, Hill served as a hitting coach in the Appalachian League with the Pulaski River Turtles.
Justin Gomez – Fourth Coach
The Tri-State Coal Cats are excited to announce that Gomez will join the team as the fourth coach for the 2025 season.
Gomez is currently serving as an assistant coach at Tufts University. He joined the Tufts baseball coaching staff in the fall of 2023, with the 2024 season being his first on the bench for the Jumbos. Before Tufts, Gomez served as an assistant coach and strength and conditioning coach at Citrus College in Glendora, Calif., from August 2019 through the summer of 2023, where he helped run practices, lead workouts and coached during games.
A former professional baseball player, Gomez spent five seasons in the Cincinnati Reds organization after being drafted in the 31st round of the 2019 MLB Draft. He hit .240 in affiliated Minor League Baseball before moving on to the Frontier League, where he played for the Joliet Slammers and Florence Freedom, as well as a season in the USBL with Utica.
Gomez played collegiately at Azusa Pacific, where he hit .326 with a .955 OPS over 204 games. He played under current Tufts head coach Paul Svagdis at APU.
For more information about the Tri-State Coal Cats, visit appyleague.com/tri-state or follow @TriStCoalCats on X and Instagram.
