Chad Pinder, a Poquoson High School graduate, is the new manager of the Charlotte Knights, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. (Charlotte Knights)

CHARLOTTE — Chad Pinder, a Poquoson High School graduate, has been promoted to manage the Charlotte Knights, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.

The Knights announced on Jan. 22 that Pinder had been tapped as manager ahead of the 2026 minor league season.

“We are pleased to welcome Chad to the Charlotte Knights family,” said Knights Executive Vice President/COO Dan Rajkowski in a press release. “Chad’s professional experience, both as a player and a manager, as well as his familiarity with the Charlotte community, makes him a natural fit. We are excited for Chad to lead the Knights in 2026.”

In 2025, Pinder led the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, the White Sox Single-A ball club, to a 64-68 record.

During his time at Poquoson High School, Pinder helped lead the Bull Islanders to back-to-back state championships in 2009 and 2010. He then played college baseball at Virginia Tech.

Pinder, who played professionally for 11 seasons, was drafted by the Athletics in the second round of the MLB Draft in 2013. He played his first professional major league game in August of 2016 against the Chicago White Sox.

After his time with the Athletics, he went on to minor league contracts with the Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals, and Atlanta Braves organizations.

During his managerial announcement press conference, Pinder spoke to reporters about his new position.

“It’s a special challenge, it’s a unique challenge that I’m excited for. This is my second year managing, but to be able to do it so close to home, to be able to be a part of what the White Sox are doing, especially in player development, is exciting and equally rewarding. I’m a firm believer that you are only as good as the people that you are around and the White Sox are doing a fantastic job at doing that,” Pinder said.

Pinder and the Knights will open the minor league season on March 27 as they face off against the Durham Bulls.