Rangers announce 2019 Minor League coaching staffs for top four affiliates
On Tuesday, the Texas Rangers announced the managers, coaches, and staff for the club's top four minor league affiliates in 2019.
On Tuesday, the Texas Rangers announced the managers, coaches, and staff for the club's top four minor league affiliates in 2019.
The organization's top two affiliate and coordinator staffs remain largely intact from the 2018 season. Former Major League All-Star and Cy Young Award-winner Eric Gagne has been added to the Triple-A Nashville staff as a bullpen coach. Gagne joined the organization last season as a pitching coach for the Arizona League Rangers. Corey Ragsdale leads several changes at the club's A-ball affiliates, returning to a managerial role for the first time since 2015. Ragsdale, who will also continue to serve as Field Coordinator, won two league championships in four seasons as a manager in the Texas farm system from 2012-15.
Jason Wood enters his fifth season as the manager of the organization's Triple-A affiliate. The addition of Gagne will be the only change for Texas at the Triple-A level, as Nashville resident Howard Johnson (Hitting), Brian Shouse (Pitching), and Geno Petralli (Coach) all return. Carlos Olivas (Athletic Trainer) and Al Sandoval (Strength Coach) complete the staff.
The 2019 campaign will be Joe Mikiluk's fifth season at the helm of Double-A Frisco and 21st season as a minor league manager. Mikiluk's staff returns Greg Hibbard (Pitching), Jason Hart (Hitting), and Brad Flanders (Coach). Alex Rodriguez will be the club's athletic trainer after serving in the same capacity last season at Down East. Wade Lamont returns as strength coach.
Ragsdale's staff at Down East will feature several new staff members as only Pitching Coach Steve Mintz returns to the club in 2019. Chase Lambin (Hitting) and Turtle Thomas (Coach) both move to the Wood Ducks after spending last season with Hickory. Luke Teeters (Athletic Trainer) and Adam Noel (Strength Coach) also join the Woodies staff from Hickory.
Matt Hagen returns to Low-A Hickory in 2019 after leading the Crawdads to the best record among Texas full-season affiliates last season. Hagen's staff includes Pitching Coach Jose Jaimes for a 2nd straight season and Jared Goedert joins the staff as Hitting Coach after spending last season with Spokane. Josh Johnson joins the Texas organization as a coach for Hickory, this after serving as an infield coach on the San Diego Padres Major League staff in 2018. Johnson followed a 12-year playing career with two seasons as a manager in the Washington Nationals farm system before joining the Padres last season. Bronson Santillan (Athletic Trainer) joins Hickory for his third season in the Texas organization.
In addition to managing High-A Down East, Ragsdale will be in his fourth year as the organization's Field Coordinator. Danny Clark enters his 14th season in the Texas farm system and 11th as Pitching Coordinator. Josue Perez will be in his fifth campaign as Hitting Coordinator and 14th season overall with Texas. The coordinator staff also includes Dwayne Murphy (Asst. Hitting/OF), Kenny Holmberg (Infield), Jono Armold (Roving Pitching), and Jeff Andrews (Special Assignment - Pitching).
The organization's medical staff at the minor league level return in new roles. The staff includes Jason Roberts (Coordinator, Minor League Medical Admin and Research), Sean Fields (Arizona Medical Coordinator), and Chris Olson (International Medical Coordinator).
The Spokane, Arizona League Rangers, and Dominican League Rangers staffs are still being finalized and will be announced at a later date.
A look at the 2019 staff (changes from 2018 underlined in italics; new hires denoted by*):
Nashville (AAA) Frisco (AA) Coordinators
Manager Jason Wood Manager Joe Mikulik Field Corey Ragsdale
Pitching Brian Shouse Pitching Greg Hibbard Pitching Danny Clark
Coach Howard Johnson Coach Jason Hart Hitting Josue Perez
Coach Geno Petralli Coach Brad Flanders Asst. Hitting/OF Dwayne Murphy
Bullpen Eric GagneTrainerAlex Rodriguez Infield Kenny Holmberg
Trainer Carlos Olivas Strength Wade Lamont Roving Pitching Jono Armold
Strength Al Sandoval Special Assignment-Pitching Jeff Andrews
MiLB Medical Admin and Research Jason Roberts
Down East (High-A)Hickory (Low-A)Arizona Medical Sean Fields
Manager Corey Ragsdale Manager Matt Hagen International Medical Chris Olson
Pitching Steve Mintz Pitching Jose Jaimes
Coach Chase Lambin Coach Jared Goedert
Coach Turtle Thomas Coach Josh Johnson*
TrainerLuke TeetersTrainerBronson Santillan
Strength Adam Noel