The Tampa Bay Rays have named the minor league on-field coaching and medical staffs for the 2016 season.
Charlie Haeger has joined the Rays organization as pitching coordinator. The former knuckleballer spent parts of five seasons in the majors with the Chicago White Sox (2006-07), San Diego Padres (2008) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2009-10). He missed the 2012 season following Tommy John surgery, and last pitched stateside with the Boston Red Sox organization in 2013. Haeger was most recently a pitching coach for Madonna University in Livonia, Mich.
The Durham Bulls (AAA) will be managed by Devil Rays and Bulls alumnus Jared Sandberg, who returns for a second season in Durham. Sandberg managed the Bulls to a 74-70 finish in 2015, the franchise's 15th winning season in its 18-year International League history. He is entering his 21st season in professional baseball and ninth in a coaching or managerial capacity. Pitching coach Kyle Snyder returns for a second season with the Bulls and his fifth in the Rays organization. Coach Ozzie Timmons, a Tampa native and former Devil Rays and Bulls outfielder, joins the staff after a combined nine seasons between Hudson Valley (2007), Columbus (2008) and Montgomery (2009-15). Athletic trainer Mike Sandoval returns for his fifth year with Durham and 30th in professional baseball. Conditioning coach Bryan King returns for a third straight season after five seasons as the Toronto Blue Jays major league strength and conditioning coach.
The Montgomery Biscuits (AA) will be managed by Brady Williams, who returns for a third season in Montgomery. This will be his 11th year in the Rays organization. Williams guided the Biscuits to the Southern League North Division second-half title last season. Pitching coach R.C. Lichtenstein returns for a fifth season with the Biscuits and his 12th in the Rays organization. Coach Dan DeMent, who begins his eighth year with the Rays organization, joins the Biscuits after stops with Princeton (2009), the GCL Rays (2010-11), Hudson Valley (2012-13) and Bowling Green (2014-15). Athletic trainer Kris Russell starts his 10th season with the Rays and fifth with Montgomery. Conditioning coach Paul Jones returns for a third season.
The Charlotte Stone Crabs (A) will be managed for a second consecutive year by Michael Johns, who begins his ninth season in the Rays system in a coaching or managerial capacity. Johns led the team to their first Florida State League title in 2015, his first year at the helm of the Stone Crabs. Pitching coach Steve Watson returns to the Stone Crabs staff for a third consecutive season, his 32nd in a coaching capacity. Coach Joe Szekely returns for his 12th season in the Rays organization and eighth at his current post with Charlotte. Athletic trainer Scott Thurston returns for his fifth year with the Stone Crabs and his ninth in the Rays system.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods (A) will be managed by Reinaldo Ruiz, who returns for a second season in Bowling Green. The former professional catcher is entering his 20th season in professional baseball and 12th in a coaching or managerial capacity. Pitching coach Bill Moloney returns to Bowling Green for a third straight season and begins his 10th coaching in the Rays system. Coach Manny Castillo returns for his second stint with Bowling Green, having spent the 2010-13 seasons there before a two-year stay with Hudson Valley. Athletic trainer James Ramsdell joins the staff after two seasons with Princeton. Conditioning coach Andrew Cook returns to Bowling Green for a second season.
The Hudson Valley Renegades (Short-Season A) will be managed by Tim Parenton, who enters his third year in the Rays organization, all at the helm of the Renegades. Pitching coach Brian Reith returns for a second season after a 14-year career as a right-handed pitcher, including parts of three seasons in the majors with the Cincinnati Reds. Coach Craig Albernaz continues his coaching career with Hudson Valley after one season with Princeton. He had a nine-year playing career as a professional catcher, eight of which he spent in the Rays organization. Athletic trainer Brian Newman returns to the staff for his third consecutive season and fifth in the Rays organization. Conditioning coach Dan Rousseau starts his fourth season with Hudson Valley.
The Princeton Rays (Rookie) will again be managed by Danny Sheaffer, who begins his fourth year in the Rays organization and 36th in professional baseball. Sheaffer and the Rays clinched their second straight playoff appearance in 2015, coming within one strike of winning the Appalachian League Championship. Pitching coach Jose Gonzalez returns for a third season in Princeton and sixth as a coach with the Rays organization. Coach Wuarnner Rincones, entering his 10th season in the Rays organization,returns for his second stint with Princeton, having spent the 2010-11 seasons there before four seasons the GCL Rays. Athletic trainer Jeremy Spencer joins the P-Rays for his sixth season with the Rays following stops with the GCL Rays, Hudson Valley and Bowling Green.
The Gulf Coast League Rays (Rookie) will again be managed by Jim Morrison, who enters his 10th season managing in the Rays organization, fourth with the GCL Rays. Pitching coach Marty DeMerritt returns for his fourth season with the GCL Rays and his 16th season in the Rays system. Coach Hector Torres, who begins his 11th year with the Rays, also returns to the staff for his seventh season. Coach Tomas Francisco joins the GCL Rays following three seasons with the DSL Rays. Coach Rafael Valenzuela begins his coaching career after a four-year minor league career as an infielder in the Houston Astros organization. Athletic trainer Shinichiro Fukuda returns for his second season, while athletic trainer Ruben Santiago joins the organization from the Toros del Este in the Dominican Republic. Conditioning coach Justin Weiss joins the GCL Rays after spending the 2015 season with Charlotte.
Minor League Coordinators
Field Coordinator: Jim Hoff
Field Coordinator: Bill Evers
Pitching Coordinator: Dick Bosman
Pitching Coordinator: Dewey Robinson
Pitching Coordinator: Jorge Moncada
Pitching Coordinator: Charlie Haeger
Hitting Coordinator: Steve Livesey
Hitting Coordinator: Chad Mottola
Catching Coordinator: Paul Hoover
Outfield/Baserunning Coordinator: Skeeter Barnes
Medical Training Coordinator: Joe Benge
Rehabilitation Coordinator: Joel Smith
Latin America Medical Coordinator: Chris Tomashoff
Strength and Conditioning Coordinator: Trung Cao
Equipment Manager: Tim McKechney
Assistant Equipment Manager: Shane Rossetti
Durham Bulls (AAA)
Manager: Jared Sandberg
Pitching Coach: Kyle Snyder
Coach: Ozzie Timmons
Athletic Trainer: Mike Sandoval
Cond. Coach: Bryan King
Montgomery Biscuits (AA)
Manager: Brady Williams
Pitching Coach: R.C. Lichtenstein
Coach: Dan DeMent
Athletic Trainer: Kris Russell
Cond. Coach: Paul Jones
Charlotte Stone Crabs (A)
Manager: Michael Johns
Pitching Coach: Steve Watson
Coach: Joe Szekely
Athletic Trainer: Scott Thurston
Bowling Green Hot Rods (A)
Manager: Reinaldo Ruiz
Pitching Coach: Bill Moloney
Coach: Manny Castillo
Athletic Trainer: James Ramsdell
Cond. Coach: Andrew Cook
Hudson Valley Renegades (Short-A)
Manager: Tim Parenton
Pitching Coach: Brian Reith
Coach: Craig Albernaz
Athletic Trainer: Brian Newman
Cond. Coach: Dan Rousseau
Princeton Rays (Rookie)
Manager: Danny Sheaffer
Pitching Coach: Jose Gonzalez
Coach: Wuarnner Rincones
Athletic Trainer: Jeremy Spencer
GCL Rays (Rookie)
Manager: Jim Morrison
Pitching Coach: Marty DeMerritt
Coach: Tomas Francisco
Coach: Hector Torres
Coach: Rafael Valenzuela
Athletic Trainer: Shinichiro Fukuda
Athletic Trainer: Ruben Santiago
Cond. Coach: Justin Weiss