Rays name minor league coaching staffs for 2013
The Tampa Bay Rays have named minor league on-field coaching and medical training staffs for the 2013 season. Paul Hoover, who was selected by the Rays in the 1997 June Draft and played in the majors for the Rays in 2001-02, moves to the role of Catching Coordinator, replacing Jamie Nelson who joined the major league coaching staff. Hoover spent last season managing the GCL Rays (Rookie), his first year as a coach.
The only new hire among the minor league coaching staffs for 2013 is Danny Sheaffer, who will manage Rookie-level Princeton. Sheaffer most recently spent six years with the Houston Astros organization, including the last five as their roving catching instructor. He has previously held managerial positions in the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs organizations and played parts of seven seasons in the major leagues with the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies and Cardinals from 1987-97.
The Durham Bulls (AAA) will retain their entire staff from last season including Manager Charlie Montoyo who begins his seventh season in Durham and 16th managing in the Rays organization. Pitching coach Neil Allen returns for his third year with the Bulls and sixth season in the Rays organization. Coach Dave Myers starts his fifth year with the Rays organization, all with the Bulls. Trainer Mike Sandoval will spend his second year with Durham after joining the Rays organization last season.
The Montgomery Biscuits (AA) also keep their 2012 staff intact, bringing back Manager Billy Gardner Jr. for a seventh season. Pitching coach R.C. Lichtenstein returns for a second season with the Biscuits and his ninth in the Rays organization. Coach Ozzie Timmons, a Tampa native and former Rays outfielder, begins his fifth year in Montgomery and seventh coaching in the Rays organization. Trainer Kris Russell starts his second year with Montgomery.
The Charlotte Stone Crabs (A) will be managed by Brady Williams who joins Charlotte after serving the previous three years as the manager of Class-A Bowling Green. This will be his eighth year in the Rays organization. Pitching coach Bill Moloney begins his seventh season coaching in the Rays system and makes his return to Charlotte after spending last year with Bowling Green. He previously served as the Stone Crabs pitching coach in 2009. Coach Joe Szekely returns for his ninth season in the Rays organization and fifth at his current post with Charlotte. Trainer Scott Thurston also returns for his second year with the Stone Crabs and his sixth in the Rays system.
Jared Sandberg will replace Williams as the manager of the Bowling Green Hot Rods (A). The upcoming season will be Sandberg’s sixth in the Rays system with the last three coming as the manager of Short-Season A Hudson Valley. Sandberg brings pitching coach Kyle Snyder with him from Hudson Valley, as Snyder starts his second season in the Rays organization. Coach Manny Castillo, who begins his 16th season in the Rays organization, will return for his fourth year in Bowling Green. Chris Tomashoff also joins the staff after spending the last two years as the trainer for the GCL Rays. This will mark his 18th season in the Rays organization.
The Hudson Valley Renegades (Short-Season A) will also have a new manager, as Michael Johns takes the helm after spending the last three seasons with Rookie-level Princeton. This will mark his sixth year in the Rays organization. Pitching coach Steve Watson joins the Renegades after spending his first two years in the Rays system with Charlotte. Coach Dan DeMent, who begins his fifth year with the Rays organization, returns for his second season with Hudson Valley. Trainer Jeremy Spencer returns to Hudson Valley after spending last year with Bowling Green. He previously served as the Renegades trainer in 2011.
The Princeton Rays (Rookie) will be managed by Danny Sheaffer, who begins his first year in the Rays organization and 33rd season in professional baseball. Pitching coach Darwin Peguero returns for his second year in Princeton and his ninth in the Rays organization. Coach Reinaldo Ruiz, who begins his sixth season in the Rays system, also returns for his second season with Princeton. Trainer Nick Flynn also begins his second year with Princeton and the Rays organization.
The Gulf Coast League Rays (Rookie) will be managed by Jim Morrison who enters his seventh season managing in the Rays organization. He spent the last four years managing Charlotte. Pitching coach Marty DeMerritt returns for his second season with the GCL Rays and his 13th season in the Rays system. Coach Hector Torres, who begins his ninth year in the Rays organization, will return for his second season with the team. Coach Wuarnner Rincones also returns to the GCL Rays, starting his second season with the team and his seventh in the Rays organization. Trainer Brian Newman joins the GCL Rays after spending his first season in the Rays system with Hudson Valley last year.
Minor League Coordinators
Field Coordinator - Jim Hoff
Field Coordinator - Bill Evers
Pitching Coordinator - Dick Bosman
Pitching Coordinator - Dewey Robinson
Hitting Coordinator - Steve Livesey
Hitting Coordinator - Matt Quatraro
Outfield/Baserunning Coordinator - Skeeter Barnes
Catching Coordinator - Paul Hoover
Medical Training Coordinator - Joe Benge
Rehabilitation Coordinator - Joel Smith
Strength and Conditioning Coordinator - Trung Cao
Equipment Manager - Tim McKechney
Assistant Equipment Manager - Shane Rossetti
Durham Bulls (AAA)
Manager - Charlie Montoyo
Pitching Coach - Neil Allen
Coach - Dave Myers
Trainer - Mike Sandoval
Montgomery Biscuits (AA)
Manager - Billy Gardner Jr.
Pitching Coach - R.C. Lichtenstein
Coach - Ozzie Timmons
Trainer - Kris Russell
Charlotte Stone Crabs (A)
Manager - Brady Williams
Pitching Coach - Bill Moloney
Coach - Joe Szekely
Trainer - Scott Thurston
Bowling Green Hot Rods (A)
Manager - Jared Sandberg
Pitching Coach - Kyle Snyder
Coach - Manny Castillo
Trainer - Chris Tomashoff
Hudson Valley Renegades (Short-A)
Manager - Michael Johns
Pitching Coach - Steve Watson
Coach - Dan DeMent
Trainer - Jeremy Spencer
Princeton Rays (Rookie)
Manager - Danny Sheaffer
Pitching Coach - Darwin Peguero
Coach - Reinaldo Ruiz
Trainer - Nick Flynn
GCL Rays (Rookie)
Manager - Jim Morrison
Pitching Coach - Marty DeMerritt
Coach - Wuarnner Rincones
Coach - Hector Torres
Trainer - Brian Newman