Rays name Minor League coaching staffs for 2015

PRESS RELEASE -- ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.

The Tampa Bay Rays have named the minor league on-field coaching and medical staffs for the 2015 season.

The Durham Bulls (AAA) will be managed by Devil Rays and Bulls alumnus Jared Sandberg, who takes the reigns from Charlie Montoyo, the winningest manager in Bulls history, after Montoyo's promotion to the major league coaching staff. The former infielder will oversee Durham's International League South title defense in his 20th season in professional baseball and seventh as a manager in the Rays organization. Sandberg managed Charlotte in 2014 after guiding Bowling Green to the Midwest League playoffs in 2013 and winning the New York-Penn League title with Hudson Valley in 2012. Kyle Snyder joins the Bulls staff in his fourth year with the Rays after serving as a pitching coordinator in 2014. He replaces Neil Allen, who was named pitching coach for the Minnesota Twins. Snyder reunites with Sandberg, for whom he served as pitching coach at Bowling Green and Hudson Valley. Coach Dave Myers returns for his seventh year with the Rays organization, all with the Bulls. Athletic trainer Mike Sandoval also returns for his fourth year with Durham. Conditioning coach Bryan King returns for a second straight season 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 returns for a second season in Montgomery. This will be his 10th year in the Rays organization. Pitching coach R.C. Lichtenstein returns for a fourth season with the Biscuits and his 11th in the Rays organization.  Coach Ozzie Timmons, a Tampa native and former Rays outfielder, begins his seventh year in Montgomery and ninth coaching in the Rays organization. Athletic trainer Kris Russell, who was named Southern League Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2014, starts his fourth year with Montgomery.

The Charlotte Stone Crabs (A) will be managed by Michael Johns, who begins his eighth season in the Rays system in a coaching or managerial capacity. He spent last season as the manager of Bowling Green after one year managing Hudson Valley and the previous three with Princeton. Pitching coach Steve Watson returns to the Stone Crabs staff for a second consecutive season, his 31st in a coaching capacity. Coach Joe Szekely returns for his 11th season in the Rays organization and seventh at his current post with Charlotte. Athletic trainer Scott Thurston returns for his fourth year with the Stone Crabs and his eighth in the Rays system. Conditioning coach Justin Weiss joins the staff full-time after two years as a seasonal assistant at Montgomery.

The Bowling Green Hot Rods (A) new manager, Reinaldo Ruiz, takes the helm after 10 years coaching in the Rays and Astros organizations. A former professional catcher, Ruiz previously served as hitting coach at Princeton (2012-14), Hudson Valley (2010-11) and the Gulf Coast League Rays (2009), and as catching instructor for the VSL Rays (2007-08). Pitching coach Bill Moloney returns to Bowling Green for a second straight season and begins his ninth coaching in the Rays system. Coach Dan DeMent, who begins his seventh year with the Rays organization, returns to the Hot Rods staff for a second season in his role. Athletic trainer Nick Flynn, who was named Midwest League Athletic Trainer of the Year, also returns to the staff for a second year.

The Hudson Valley Renegades (Short-Season A) are managed again by Tim Parenton, who led them to a first-place finish in the McNamara Division in his first year as a professional manager. Parenton enters his second year in the Rays organization. Pitching coach Brian Reith joins the Rays organization to begin his coaching career after a 14-year career as a right-handed pitcher, including parts of three seasons in the majors with the Cincinnati Reds. Coach Manny Castillo, who begins his 18th season in the Rays organization, returns to the Renegades for a second straight season. Athletic trainer Brian Newman returns to the staff for his second consecutive season and fourth in the Rays organization.

The Princeton Rays (Rookie) will again be managed by Danny Sheaffer, who begins his third year in the Rays organization and 35^th in professional baseball. Sheaffer guided the P-Rays to a first-place finish in the East Division and their first postseason appearance since 1998. Pitching coach Jose Gonzalez returns for a second season in Princeton and fifth as a coach with the Rays organization. Coach Craig Albernaz joins the staff to begin his coaching career after a nine-year career as a professional catcher, eight of which he spent in the Rays organization. Athletic trainer James Ramsdell returns to the Rays for his second season, both with Princeton.

The Gulf Coast League Rays (Rookie) will again be managed by Jim Morrison, who enters his ninth season managing in the Rays organization, third with the GCL Rays. Pitching coach Marty DeMerritt returns for his third season with the GCL Rays and his 15th season in the Rays system. Coach Wuarnner Rincones returns to the GCL Rays, starting his fourth season with the team and his ninth in the Rays organization. Coach Hector Torres, who begins his 10th year with the Rays, also returns to the staff for his fourth season. Athletic trainer Jeremy Spencer returns for a second season with the GCL Rays staff, his fifth in the Rays organization. Athletic trainer Shinichiro Fukuda joins the staff full-time after serving as a seasonal assistant to assist with extended spring training, the Gulf Coast, Florida State and Instructional leagues, and to facilitate player rehabilitation at Charlotte Sports Park. Conditioning coach Ryan Thomas returns for his seventh season.

The Rays have promoted Jorge Moncada to assistant pitching coordinator after serving as pitching coach in 2013-14 for Short-A Hudson Valley. Moncada enters his 11th season as a coach or coordinator, eight of which he spent in his native Venezuela after a four-year career as a left-handed pitcher in the Astros system.

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