Rays name minor league coaching staffs for 2014
The Tampa Bay Rays have named minor league on-field coaching and medical training staffs for the 2014 season. Chad Mottola, who spent parts of five seasons as a player in the major leagues, joins the Rays staff in the role of hitting coordinator, replacing Matt Quatraro, who joined the Cleveland Indians major league coaching staff. Mottola spent the 2013 season as the Toronto Blue Jays hitting coach after serving in the same capacity at Triple-A Las Vegas in 2011-12. He joined the Blue Jays organization as a coach in 2007.
The only new managerial hire among the minor league coaching staffs for 2014 is Tim Parenton, who will manage Short-Season A Hudson Valley. Parenton most recently spent four years as an assistant coach at the University of North Florida. He has previously held coaching positions at Old Dominion (1990-95), Mississippi State (1996-97), Samford (1998-2004), Florida (2004-07) and Jesuit (La.) High School (2008-10).
The Durham Bulls (AAA) will retain their entire staff from last season including Manager Charlie Montoyo, who begins his eighth season in Durham and 17th managing in the Rays organization. Last season, he led the Bulls to the postseason for the sixth time in seven seasons, capturing the Governor's Cup for the second time during his tenure. He enters the 2014 season 55 wins shy of International League Hall of Fame skipper Bill Evers' Bulls franchise record of 613 career managerial victories. Pitching coach Neil Allen returns for his fourth year with the Bulls and seventh season in the Rays organization. Coach Dave Myers starts his sixth year with the Rays organization, all with the Bulls. Athletic trainer Mike Sandoval will spend his third year with Durham. Conditioning Coach Bryan King joins the Rays organization 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 joins Montgomery after spending last season with Class-A Charlotte and the previous three as the manager of Class-A Bowling Green. This will be his ninth year in the Rays organization. Pitching coach R.C. Lichtenstein returns for a third season with the Biscuits and his 10th in the Rays organization. Coach Ozzie Timmons, a Tampa native and former Rays outfielder, begins his sixth year in Montgomery and eighth coaching in the Rays organization. Athletic trainer Kris Russell starts his third year with Montgomery.
The Charlotte Stone Crabs (A) will be managed by Jared Sandberg, who begins his seventh season in the Rays system in a coaching or managerial capacity. He spent last season as the manager of Class-A Bowling Green and the previous three as the manager of Short-Season A Hudson Valley. Pitching coach Steve Watson begins his second stint with the Stone Crabs staff after spending last season with Hudson Valley and the 2011-12 seasons in Charlotte. Coach Joe Szekely returns for his 10th season in the Rays organization and sixth at his current post with Charlotte. Athletic trainer Scott Thurston returns for his third year with the Stone Crabs and his seventh in the Rays system.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods (A) will also have a new manager, as Michael Johns takes the helm after spending last season with Short-Season A Hudson Valley and the previous three with Rookie-level Princeton. This will mark his seventh year in the Rays organization. Pitching coach Bill Moloney begins his eighth season coaching in the Rays system and makes his return to Bowling Green after spending last year with Charlotte. He previously served as the Hot Rods pitching coach in 2012. Coach Dan DeMent, who begins his sixth year with the Rays organization, joins Bowling Green after serving the previous two years as a coach in Hudson Valley. Athletic trainer Nick Flynn also joins the Hot Rods staff after spending the last two years with the Princeton Rays.
The Hudson Valley Renegades (Short-Season A) will be managed by Tim Parenton, who begins his first year in the Rays organization after more than 20 years of coaching at the high school and college level. Pitching coach Jorge Moncada will join the Renegades after spending the previous seven years with the VSL Rays. Coach Manny Castillo, who begins his 17th season in the Rays organization, joins the Renegades after spending the previous four years in Bowling Green. Athletic trainer Brian Newman rejoins the staff, having spent the 2012 season with Hudson Valley before spending last season with the GCL Rays.
The Princeton Rays (Rookie) will again be managed by Danny Sheaffer, who begins his second year in the Rays organization and 34th season in professional baseball. Pitching coach Jose Gonzalez will begin his first season with Princeton after spending the previous three years with the DSL Rays. Coach Reinaldo Ruiz, who begins his seventh season in the Rays system, also returns for his third season with Princeton. Athletic trainer James Ramsdell joins Princeton after serving as an intern in Port Charlotte last season.
The Gulf Coast League Rays (Rookie) will be managed by Jim Morrison who enters his eighth season managing in the Rays organization, second with the GCL Rays. Pitching coach Marty DeMerritt returns for his third season with the GCL Rays and his 14th season in the Rays system. Coach Hector Torres, who begins his 10th year in the Rays organization, will return for his third season with the team. Coach Wuarnner Rincones also returns to the GCL Rays, starting his third season with the team and his eighth in the Rays organization. Athletic trainer Jeremy Spencer enters his fourth season with the Rays and joins the GCL Rays staff after previously serving as the Renegades (2011, 2013) and Hot Rods (2012) athletic trainer.
Minor League Coordinators
Field Coordinator, Jim Hoff
Field Coordinator, Bill Evers
Pitching Coordinator, Dick Bosman
Pitching Coordinator, Dewey Robinson
Pitching Coordinator, Kyle Snyder
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
Latin America Cultural Liaison, Jairo De La Rosa
Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, Trung Cao
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, Ryan Thomas
Equipment Manager, Tim McKechney
Assistant Equipment Manager, Shane Rossetti
Durham Bulls (AAA)
Manager, Charlie Montoyo
Pitching Coach, Neil Allen
Coach, Dave Myers
Athletic Trainer, Mike Sandoval
Cond. Coach, Bryan King
Montgomery Biscuits (AA)
Manager, Brady Williams
Pitching Coach, R.C. Lichtenstein
Coach, Ozzie Timmons
Athletic Trainer, Kris Russell
Charlotte Stone Crabs (A)
Manager, Jared Sandberg
Pitching Coach, Steve Watson
Coach, Joe Szekely
Athletic Trainer, Scott Thurston
Bowling Green Hot Rods (A)
Manager, Michael Johns
Pitching Coach, Bill Moloney
Coach, Dan DeMent
Athletic Trainer, Nick Flynn
Hudson Valley Renegades (Short-A)
Manager Tim Parenton
Pitching Coach Jorge Moncada
Coach Manny Castillo
Athletic Trainer Brian Newman
Princeton Rays (Rookie)
Manager, Danny Sheaffer
Pitching Coach, Jose Gonzalez
Coach, Reinaldo Ruiz
Athletic Trainer, James Ramsdell
GCL Rays (Rookie)
Manager, Jim Morrison
Pitching Coach, Marty DeMerritt
Coach, Wuarnner Rincones
Coach, Hector Torres
Athletic Trainer, Jeremy Spencer
18 Days Until Pitchers & Catchers Report to Spring Training