GreenJackets Announce 2025 Coaching Staff

For Immediate Release:

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GreenJackets Announce 2025 Coaching Staff

Wynston Sawyer Returns for Second Year at the Helm at SRP Park

NORTH AUGUSTA, SC: The Augusta GreenJackets, in conjunction with the Atlanta Braves, are thrilled to announce the coaching staff for the upcoming 2025 season. Wynston Sawyer returns to the CSRA for his second season as Manager, after earning his first role as skipper in 2024. He’s joined by a pair of returners from last year’s staff in Pitching Coach Elvin Nina and Strength Coach Jake Wynn, as well as a handful of newcomers in Co-Hitting Coaches Garrett Wilkinson and Ruben Gotay, Coach Brad Stoll, and Athletic Trainer Dan Gaertner.

Sawyer leads the charge for 2025 after managing the GreenJackets in 2024, his first managerial gig at any level. The California native came to Augusta after a season with the FCL Braves, where he served as Coach, working primarily with the catchers. Sawyer spent over a decade in Minor League Baseball as a player after being drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 8^th Round of the 2010 MLB Draft, with additional stops in the Dodgers, Twins, and Yankees systems.

No stranger to SRP Park, Nina begins year three of his second stint with the GreenJackets. He returned to Augusta last year following two seasons with the FCL Braves, having originally been on the GreenJackets’ staff in the same role in 2021. The well-traveled coach came to the Braves’ system after four years with the GCL Pirates of Pittsburgh’s organization, and half a dozen more between the Helena Brewers and Wisconsin Timber Rattlers under Milwaukee’s umbrella.

This year marks a homecoming of sorts for Wilkinson, who returns not only to the team where he began his coaching career, but also the area he grew up in. The Evans, GA native starred at Evans HS before a lengthy collegiate career that spanned time at East Georgia State College, Gordon State College, Florida A&M, and Mercer University. He began his coaching career with a video and hitting analytics role for the ‘Jackets in 2021, followed by stops with the FCL Braves, Rome Braves, and Mississippi Braves, the last two of which he was the hitting coach.

Joining Wilkinson to work with the hitters, Gotay begins his first year as a coach in the Braves organization, having spent last year coaching in the Mexican League with the Caliente de Durango. Gotay brings a wealth of additional experience coaching in MiLB, having spent 2023 with the Indianapolis Indians, 2021-22 with the Greensboro Grasshoppers, and 2018-19 with the Clearwater Threshers. The Puerto Rican product played professionally for 17 seasons, including parts of four years in the majors with the Royals, Mets, and Braves.

This marks the first-year coaching in professional baseball for Stoll, following nearly 20 years coaching at Lawrence High School in Kansas. During his time with the Chesty Lions, Stoll won a 6A State Championship in 2009 and saw two former players go on to play in Major League Baseball: Garrett Cleavinger and Bryce Montes de Oca. Stoll’s additional experience lies in the Cape Cod League, where he was an assistant with the Falmouth Commodores from 2009-15 and again in 2024.

Gaertner will serve as the team’s Athletic Trainer for 2025, marking his first year in Augusta and 4^th with the Braves after one summer in the FCL and two with the Gwinnett Stripers. Wynn returns to the GreenJackets for the second consecutive season, having previously worked at Stony Brook University on Long Island.

The GreenJackets begin their 2025 campaign on Friday, April 4^th, as they host the Columbia Fireflies of the Kansas City Royals organization at 7:05 PM. The ‘Jackets will face 10 of the 11 other teams in the Carolina League over the course of the year’s 132-game slate, including 66 home dates at SRP Park. Single-game tickets and the promotional schedule are set to be announced soon, with information to follow at greenjacketsbaseball.com.

About SRP Park/Augusta GreenJackets

The Augusta GreenJackets are the Single-A affiliate Atlanta Braves. 2025 Augusta GreenJackets schedule is out and Season Ticket Membership packages are available to the public. To learn more about the benefits and to lock in your seat to cheer on the Braves of tomorrow, visit www.gjmembers.com or call (803) 349-WINS (9467).

For team merchandise or more information visit www.greenjacketsbaseball.com. Stay up to date on all things GreenJackets and Events at SRP Park by following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and sign up for the ‘Jackets Buzz e-newsletter here: https://atmilb.com/3yr4mrw. Or signing up for GreenJackets text message alerts here: https://bit.ly/AUG-Text-OptIn

SRP Park is the anchor piece of Riverside Village, a live, work, “playball" development which includes apartment living, retail, restaurants, class "A" office space, and a Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center. To learn more about SRP Park and hosting events and availability, visit www.thesrppark.com.

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Founded in 2021, Diamond Baseball Holdings is committed to elevating fan experiences, creating “centers of energy,” fostering dynamic engagements for brands and highlighting the evolution of the Minor League Baseball environment. It is grounded in a deep-rooted appreciation for traditions, community and the sport of baseball. For more information visit diamondbaseballholdings.com.

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