Fairmont native David Carpenter has been on staff as a baseball instructor at Pro Performance since the beginning. The former standout catcher at East Fairmont and West Virginia University is on staff until he leaves for Spring Training in February. Carpenter was a 12th round pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006. He spent his first two professional seasons as a catcher before the Cardinals converted him to a pitcher.
In 2010 he was traded to the Houston Astros. A hard throwing relief pitcher, Carp pitched in the prestigious Arizona Fall League in 2010 and was added to the Astros 40 man roster shortly after. He made his Major League debut with the Astros in 2011. Carpenter spent the first half of 2012 with the Astros before being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays, he ended the season in the Toronto bullpen. In 2013, Carpenter was the set up man for the Atlanta Braves and posted an ERA under 2.00. Carpenter was traded to the New York Yankees before the start of the 2015 season and again to the Washington Nationals midway though the season.
Morgantown native Jedd Gyorko went from growing up in the Pro Performance baseball program as a player, to becoming one of its most popular instructors. Gyorko is currently with the St. Louis Cardinals after a stint as the starting second baseman for the San Diego Padres for the previous three seasons.
He hit 23 home runs in his rookie season in 2013 after being selected in the 2nd round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft. He was the 59th overall pick. Gyorko was named San Diego’s minor league player of the year in both 2011 and 2012. Gyorko is arguably the best player to ever play at West Virginia University where he was a three time All American shortstop. In 2010 he was the recipient of the Brooks Wallace Award which recognizes college baseball’s best shortstop.
He left WVU as the school’s all-time leader in home runs, doubles, batting average and assists. Gyorko also started for the Morgantown Post 2 American Legion team for four years, winning two state titles.
Jim Rice played collegiately at Fairmont State University and is currently coaching for Morgantown Legion Post 2. He is available for hitting and pitching lessons.
Travis Renner is on staff at Pro Performance and works with all positions. Renner was a standout at University High School in Morgantown where he was a 1st team All-State, 1st team All-OVAC, and 1st team All-Area performer. Renner currently plays at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, WV. He will be available for lessons throughout the summer and off season months.
Morgantown native Andy Altemus is the Director of Baseball/Softball at Pro Performance, having previously served as lead pitching instructor. Altemus is a former professional pitcher in the San Francisco Giants organization. Andy enjoyed an outstanding college career that started at Potomac State College and ended at West Virginia University.
He was named WVU’s pitching MVP during the 2010 season, a campaign in which he set the all-time WVU record for appearances in a single season. Altemus is also a former standout and two-time state champion in the Morgantown Post 2 American Legion program. Andy graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in Athletic Coaching Education in 2011.
Former Fairmont State University standout Tyler Barnette is available for individual lessons and also is a lead instructor in Pro Performance camps and clinics. Barnette was a standout at Clay Battelle High School as well the Morgantown Post 2 American Legion Program, before signing at West Virginia University.
A catcher for most of his career, Barnette played outfield at Fairmont State after transferring from WVU. Barnette took over the head coaching responsibilities for the Post 2 program in 2012 and led to his to a 3rdplace finish in the 2013 WV State American Legion Tournament. Barnette has a degree from Fairmont State and is currently working on his masters degree at WVU.
