Rays name minor league coaching staffs for 2012

The Tampa Bay Rays have named minor league on-field coaching and medical training staffs for the 2012 season. The Rays hired two new coaches, both of whom played in the majors leagues: former Rays catcher Paul Hoover as manager for the GCL Rays (Rookie) and Kyle Snyder as pitching coach for the Hudson Valley Renegades (Short-Season A). Hoover is the third Rays draft pick to manage in the system, joining current minor league hitting coordinator Matt Quatraro and current Hudson Valley Renegades Manager Jared Sandberg. Joe Benge was also promoted to minor league medical training coordinator after spending last year as the Durham Bulls (AAA) athletic trainer.

Durham (AAA) welcomes back Manager Charlie Montoyo for his sixth season in Durham and 15th managing in the Rays organization. Pitching coach Neil Allen returns for his second year with the Bulls and sixth season in the Rays organization. Coach Dave Myers starts his fourth year with the Rays organization, all with the Bulls. Mike Sandoval joins the organization as the Bulls athletic trainer after spending the previous 25 years in the Pittsburgh Pirates system including the last 10 seasons as assistant athletic trainer with the major league club.

The Montgomery Biscuits (AA) bring back Manager Billy Gardner Jr. for a sixth season. Pitching coach R.C. Lichtenstein is new to the Biscuits staff this season after spending the previous three seasons with Bowling Green. He enters his eighth year with the Rays organization. Coach Ozzie Timmons, a Tampa native and former Rays outfielder, returns to the Biscuits for a fourth year and his sixth coaching in the Rays organization. Kris Russell joins Montgomery as its athletic trainer after spending last season in Charlotte.

The Charlotte Stone Crabs (A) will be managed by Jim Morrison for the fourth straight year as he enters his sixth season managing in the Rays organization. Pitching coach Steve Watson returns for his second year with the Rays and Stone Crabs. Coach Joe Szekely returns for his eighth season in the Rays organization and third at his current post with Charlotte. Scott Thurston will serve as the trainer for the Stone Crabs in his fifth season in the Rays system, following a two-year stint with Bowling Green.

The Bowling Green Hot Rods (A) will be managed by Brady Williams who returns for his third season with the Hot Rods and seventh with the Rays organization. Pitching coach Bill Moloney will join the Hot Rods after spending the previous two seasons at Montgomery. He will begin his sixth year in the Rays organization. Coach Manny Castillo, who begins his 15th season in the Rays organization, will return for his third year in Bowling Green. Athletic trainer Jeremy Spencer joins the Hot Rods for his second year in the Rays system, following one season with Hudson Valley.

The Hudson Valley Renegades (Short-Season A) welcome back Manager Jared Sandberg for his third year with the Renegades and fifth year in the Rays system. Pitching Coach Kyle Snyder is new to the Renegades staff and the Rays organization. He was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the first round of the 1999 June Draft and pitched parts of five seasons in the majors with Kansas City (2003, 2005-06) and the Boston Red Sox (2006-08). Coach Dan DeMent, who begins his fourth year with the Rays organization, will also start his first season with Hudson Valley after coaching the last two years with the GCL Rays. Athletic trainer Brian Newman joins the Renegades in his first season in the Rays system.

The Princeton Rays (Rookie) will be managed again by Michael Johns, who returns for his third season with Princeton and fifth with the Rays organization. Pitching coach Darwin Peguero will begin his first season with Princeton after spending the previous three years with the GCL Rays. This will be his eighth season in the organization. Coach Reinaldo Ruiz, who begins his fifth season with the Rays system, will also start his first season with Princeton. Athletic Trainer Nick Flynn joins Princeton in his first season in the Rays organization.

The Gulf Coast League Rays (Rookie) welcome Paul Hoover as their new manager as he enters his first season as a coach in the Rays organization. The former catcher was selected by Tampa Bay in the 1997 June Draft and played in the majors for the Rays in 2001-02. Pitching coach Marty DeMerritt moves to the GCL Rays after spending the previous five years with Princeton. This will be his 12th season in the Rays organization. Coach Hector Torres, who begins his eighth year in the Rays organization, will return for his third season with the team. Coach Wuarnner Rincones joins the GCL Rays after spending the previous two years with Princeton. He begins his sixth season with the Rays organization. Chris Tomashoff will return for his second season as athletic trainer for the GCL Rays and 17th season in the Rays system.

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 - Jamie Nelson
• Medical Training Coordinator - Joe Benge
• Rehabilitation Coordinator - Joel Smith
• Strength and Conditioning Coordinator - Trung Cao
• Equipment Manager - Tim McKechney
• Assistant Equipment Manager - Shane Rossetti