RANGERS ANNOUNCE 2019 MINOR LEAGUE COACHING STAFFS FOR TOP FOUR AFFILIATES

Arlington, Texas - The Texas Rangers today 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 Gagne                     Trainer       Alex 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
         Trainer         Luke Teeters                  Trainer       Bronson Santillan                                          
         Strength      Adam Noel                                       
- RANGERS -