Marauders Baseball Returns For 17th Season In Bradenton

With the Pittsburgh Pirates season underway, now, the baseball beat goes on in Bradenton with the Marauders season.

Marauders’ skipper Gera Alvarez, a Bradenton resident, is no stranger to Florida State League baseball at LECOM Park. Having managed the club for two seasons (2017 & 2018), Alvarez has shifted his roster from their spring training schedule at Pirate City to the ballpark that will be their home for 66 regular-season games.

Speaking with reporters prior to Tuesday’s first workout at LECOM Park for the Marauders, Alvarez explained how he and his coaching staff will aid in the development of his players at the Single-A level.

“Understanding what the player needs for his development so he could move his career forward. This is what I’m here for. I’m passionate about this. Jose (bench coach Jose Mendez) is a tremendous coach, and I’m thankful to have him on my staff. He brings a comfort level to the club. He had most of our players last year (Gulf Coast League). I look forward to working with him. We want to get our guys better every day.”

Along with Mendez, Alvarez’s staff consists of pitching coach Matt Ford, Gustavo Omana working with the catchers, and hitting coaches Jonathan Prieto and Ryan Powers.

The Marauders’ 2026 club has 21 players returning who spent time in Bradenton in 2025. Right-handed pitcher Seth Hernandez, Pittsburgh’s top draft selection last summer out of high school, will start his first pro season with the Marauders.

“It’s been fun,” Hernandez said about experiencing his first spring training. “Just being able to meet everybody, and being around the guys throughout the system, creating relationships with the people who I’m going to be spending a lot of time around for the next six months has been great.”

Hernandez tells of wanting to learn about his teammates rather than just the baseball commonalities they share. Connecting on a personal level is important to him. Staying healthy remains Hernandez’s priority.

“I’m a high schooler. I haven’t thrown a lot of innings. Building my body, both physically and mentally, is important. To finally be out of Pirate City and into a big-league ballpark is exciting. It’s going to be a fun year with the guys.”

Along with Hernandez’s professional progress in Bradenton, fellow hurler Levi Sterling and infielder Murf Gray, who the Pirates drafted in 2025 (second round) out of Fresno State, are two other prospects to follow closely.

Alvarez’s bench coach, Jose Mendez, who will also be working with the “Baby Pirates” on their base running and infield skills, wants to simplify how the players approach their game in Bradenton.

“Slowing down the game for our players is important. I want to help them make better decisions and put us in the best possible way to win games. This level (Florida State League) is more about discipline and being a good teammate.”

Along with the action that takes place on the field, there are several promotional giveaways that should attract large attendance figures in the coming months. With Opening Day coming on April 7 at LECOM Park with the Palm Beach Cardinals, it will be on Friday, April 10, that the first premium giveaway is scheduled for.

Fans attending the April 10 game with the Cardinals, the first 750 to walk through the gates, will receive a replica Bradenton script jersey.

The 10-team league (Clearwater, Dunedin, Fort Myers, Lakeland, Tampa, Daytona, Jupiter, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, and Bradenton) schedule will run through Saturday, September 5. Bradenton’s general manager, who also wears the hat of director of sales and marketing for the club, Craig Warzecha, has been with the Marauders since 2015.

Matthew Hargrove will handle Marauders’ play-by-play duties on the radio (simulcast on televised home games) all season long.

In 2025, the Marauders finished in fifth place in the FSL’s western division. The Lakeland Flying Tigers won the league championship.