Alex Sogard has been named assistant baseball coach/pitching coach at Wright State University, Raider head coach Jeff Mercer announced Tuesday.

Sogard, who was drafted by the Houston Astros in 2010, has also played minor league baseball in the Arizona Diamondbacks and Baltimore Orioles organizations as recently as this season.  He also works as the pitching instructor for several elite camps, including the Pro 5 Academy.

“I am very excited to welcome Alex and his family to the program,” Mercer said.  “My primary goal in this process was finding someone to carry on our model of elite pitching and defense.  Alex will be able to develop our staff and continue their great success.  Alex's experience of advancing to three Super Regional's and winning two National Championships will be pivotal as we advance our program towards those ultimate goals.  His very successful professional career will also be a valuable tool while developing our pitching staff.  I look forward to seeing his positive impact on our program as a coach, recruiter and mentor to our players.”  

He started as a freshman at Oregon State where OSU won the 2006 and 2007 national titles before moving to North Carolina State for his final two collegiate seasons where they won the regional championship in 2008.  Sogard was drafted the Diamondbacks in 2008 but chose to stay in school, ultimately being drafted by the Astros in 2010. 

His career also includes playing in the World Baseball Classic for Team Czech Republic in 2012 in Germany and 2016 in Mexico.  With the Astros, he advanced to Triple A in 2013 and played in the Arizona Fall League in 2012 and 2013.  His brother, Eric, is a member of the Oakland A's.

Sogard is a 2010 graduate of North Carolina State with a B.S. degree in science technology in science.