Frank Gonzales, newly named manager of the Yuba-Sutter Freebirds for the 2026 season, brings more than 25 years of professional baseball experience, including recent stops in the Pioneer League. Photo courtesy of Yuba-Sutter Freebirds

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) – The Yuba-Sutter Freebirds have named longtime baseball veteran Frank Gonzales as the team’s manager for the 2026 season, the organization announced.

Gonzales brings more than 25 years of professional baseball experience, including recent leadership roles in the Pioneer League. He managed the Grand Junction Jackalopes in 2025 after leading the Northern Colorado Owlz from 2023 to 2024. Prior to that, he spent 10 years managing within the Colorado Rockies organization.

“I have a lot to be grateful for, and the opportunity to manage another year in the Pioneer League is incredible,” Gonzales said. “I’m looking forward to helping build a team in Yuba-Sutter and becoming part of the community.”

Freebirds General Manager Harrison Shapiro said Gonzales’ background in player development and leadership made him a strong fit for the franchise.

“Frank Gonzales is exactly the kind of leader I wanted for this ball club,” Shapiro said. “He’s not just a great baseball mind, he’s a builder of culture.”

A native of La Junta, Colorado, Gonzales was a standout pitcher at Colorado State University before being selected in the 16th round of the 1989 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers. He played in the Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox organizations before beginning his coaching career in 1997.

Gonzales later returned to Colorado State, leading the program from 1999 to 2005 and guiding the team to back-to-back NCBA national championships in his final two seasons.

He is also the father of major league pitcher Marco Gonzales, who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners and Pittsburgh Pirates during a 10-year MLB career.

The Freebirds will retain bench coach Gary Davenport for the 2026 season, marking his third year with the organization. Davenport previously spent more than 15 years coaching in the San Francisco Giants organization.

“I’m really grateful to be coaching again in Yuba-Sutter this coming season,” Davenport said. “I’ve known Frank for years and I’m excited to work beside him.”

Rounding out the coaching staff, Gonzales will bring in Robbie Bales, who served as hitting coach for Grand Junction last season and has been head coach at the Colorado School of Mines since 2018.

The Freebirds open their second season in Marysville on May 19 against the Long Beach Coast. For tickets, schedules or more information, visit freebirdsbaseball.com.