Rays announce changes to scouting staff

ST. PETERSBURG, FL-The Tampa Bay Rays have announced several staffing changes to their International Operations, Pro Scouting and Amateur Scouting departments.

In International Operations, Carlos Rodriguez has been promoted to Director, Latin American Scouting after previously working as a Pro Scout for the Rays.  Carlos Alfonso is now Special Assistant, International Operations and will focus primarily on Mexico, Europe and the Pacific Rim.  He enters his 48th season in professional baseball and seventh with the Rays.

Bobby Heck has been hired as a Special Assignment Scout.  He most recently served as the Assistant General Manager and Director of Scouting for the Houston Astros.  Fred Repke has been promoted to Special Assignment Scout after serving as a Regional Supervisor in Amateur Scouting.  Jeff McAvoy has also been promoted to Special Assignment Scout after serving as a Pro Scout.

In Amateur Scouting, Chuck Ricci has been hired as the National Crosschecker, having served in the same role for the Cleveland Indians since 2005.  Jake Wilson has been promoted to Western Regional Supervisor after previously serving as an Area Supervisor.  New Area Supervisors include former Rays minor leaguers Josh Arhart (Southern/Central California) and Ronnie Merrill (Florida).  Jack Cressend has been hired as an Amateur Pitching Consultant.

New Pro Scout hires include Mike Brown and Kevin Ibach.  Brown has spent time with the Kansas City Royals, New York Mets and Astros organizations, while Ibach previously worked as an area scout for the Miami Marlins.