Pippins Announce 2026 Coaching Staff

KYLE KRUSTANGEL RETURNS AS MANAGER

November 25, 2025 – The Yakima Valley Pippins are excited to unveil their coaching staff for the 2026 West Coast League season, led by the return of Kyle Krustangel as Head Coach and Assistant General Manager, the addition of Gunnar “Panch” Ueda-Pancheri as Associate Head Coach, and Pitching Coach Ethan Salscheider. 

Krustangel rejoins the Pippins after previously managing the club for four seasons (2021–2024). In his first season the Pippins captured the 2021 North Division championship and came within one win of the West Coast League title in the most successful season in franchise history. The upcoming year will mark Krustangel’s ninth season as a WCL manager (previously with Wenatchee Applesox), after a highly decorated seven-year tenure as head coach at Yakima Valley College.

Joining Krustangel on the bench is Gunnar “Panch” Ueda-Pancheri, who will serve as Associate Head Coach, the role he currently holds at Yakima Valley College. Panch is widely regarded as one of the top hitting instructors in the region. Salscheider spent the last four years with the Pippins as a left-handed starting pitcher with 125 innings on the mound. 

“Our guys are passionate about their players, the community and building culture on and off the field,” said Pippins GM Jordan Rowland “We couldn’t have a better fit and better leaders for our club and local baseball community. Kyle and Panch are dedicated to youth and college baseball, they’re local year-round, trusted by top college coaches, their players love to compete for them. Ethan is an outstanding competitor and a fan favorite — we’re going to have a very exciting team this summer and we want to win a championship.” 

The Pippins will be announcing their upcoming youth baseball camps and clinics for winter/spring/summer on December 3rd.