Dunedin Blue Jays Announce 2020 Coaching Staff
The Toronto Blue Jays have announced the on-field coaching staff for the Dunedin Blue Jays 2020 season. Donnie Murphy begins his first season as a manager after spending the last four years as a hitting coach, most recently with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Matt Hague moves up from
The Toronto Blue Jays have announced the on-field coaching staff for the Dunedin Blue Jays 2020 season. Donnie Murphy begins his first season as a manager after spending the last four years as a hitting coach, most recently with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Matt Hague moves up from Low-A Lansing as the new hitting coach for 2020. He begins his second season coaching in the organization and played one season with the Toronto Blue Jays during the 2015 season. Pitching Coach Antonio Caceres ("CAH-ser-us") also comes over from the Lansing Lugnuts serving in the same position going into his 21st season with the Blue Jays. George Carroll will serve as the position coach in 2020 after working in the Gulf Coast League in 2019. Taylor Hill begins his first season in the Blue Jays organization as a Development Coach. Luke Greene joins Dunedin as the athletic trainer from the Vancouver Canadians, and Justin Batcher comes to Dunedin as the strength and conditioning coach after spending last season with the Lansing Lugnuts. Leila Hughel-Deeds rounds out the on-field staff joining the Blue Jays as the Dietitian for Dunedin.
Donnie Murphy takes over as manager in the 2020 season after 2019 manager, Cesar Martin, was promoted to manage the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Martin finished the season with an 80-55 record and earned the first and second half North Division champion honors.
As the hitting coach in New Hampshire, Murphy's team finished with a .238 AVG, 244 2B, 94 HR, and a .682 OPS. Donnie Murphy was the hitting coach in Dunedin during the 2018 season when the Blue Jays were second in the Florida State League in AVG (.268), runs (617), hits (1221), OPS (.722), and third in RBI at 569. Murphy looks to continue to build on the success he had as a hitting coach in the past and transition that success in his first managerial role. Prior to coaching, Murphy played nine seasons in the MLB wih five different teams ending his career with the Texas Rangers in 2014. Murphy finished his career with a slash line of .212/.279/.395.
Matt Hague joins Dunedin after serving as a Hitting Coach for the Lugnuts in his first season with the Toronto organization. Hague's hitting instruction led to a power lineup that hit 106 home runs with 555 RBI and a team OPS of .722. He comes over as last year's Dunedin Blue Jays finished first in the FSL in runs scored (609), 2B (220), RBI (557), OBP (.339), and OPS (.710). Hague played three seasons in the Majors, two season with the Pittsburgh Pirates and one season with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Pitching Coach Antonio Caceres comes to Dunedin after spending the last two seasons with the Lansing Lugnuts. Caceres signed with the Blue Jays when he was 17-years-old from Couti, Dominican Republic. He played four seasons in the organization, three in the Dominican Summer League and one at the Rookie Level, before transitioning into a coaching role in 1999. This is Caceres first season with the Dunedin Blue Jays looking to help build on a rotation that finished as one of the top performers in the Florida State League last season.
Position Coach George Carroll enters his third season of coaching in the Blue Jays organization beginning in the Gulf Coast League. Carroll took on a coaching role after two years playing in the Blue Jays system and one season in the Independent Atlantic League for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. He has focused mostly on instruction with the catchers in the system after playing catcher his whole career before retiring from baseball.
Development Coach Taylor Hill is originally from Old Hickory, Tennessee, Hill was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 6th round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of Vanderbilt University. He pitched in the Majors during the 2014 and 2015 season. Last pitched for the San Francisco Giants organization in 2018. He will be instrumental with helping players develop through data and analytics.
Luke Greene begins his third season with the Toronto Blue Jays as the athletic trainer, previously working with the Vancouver Canadians in 2019 and the Bluefield Blue Jays in 2018.
Justin Batcher studied at LaGrange college in Georgia getting his Exercise Science and Masters of Strength and Conditioning. Batcher has made a jump in the system each season beginning in 2018 with the Bluefield Blue Jays and spent last season with the Lansing Lugnuts.
Leila Hughel-Deeds comes to Dunedin after completing her Master's degree in Exercise Physiology at Valdosta State University. She most recently worked as a nutrition coach for Tandem Nutrition.
The Dunedin Blue Jays are the High Class-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays and a member of the Florida State League. The Blue Jays open up the 2020 season on the road for a two-game series against the Clearwater Threshers beginning on Thursday, April 9. Dunedin plays their first home game at the renovated TD Ballpark on April 11 with a magnet schedule giveaway along with a surprise t-shirt for fans.
###
Bats Boom Again, Jays Power Past Bradenton
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays blasted three homers and tallied twelve hits as they took down the Bradenton Marauders 11-6 in game three of a six-game set Thursday night at TD Ballpark. The Blue Jays have now won seven of their last eight and 10 of their last
Win Streak Snapped Despite Duran’s Big Night
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays six game win streak came to a halt as they fell to the Bradenton Marauders 6-3 in game two of a six-game set Wednesday night at TD Ballpark. RHP Chris McElvain (4 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 6 K) did not
Yesavage, Stanifer Strike Out 19 as Jays Win Sixth Straight
DUNEDIN, FL - Trey Yesavage and Gage Stanifer combined for a season-high 19 strikeouts as the Dunedin Blue Jays rolled to their sixth straight win, defeating the Bradenton Marauders 11-3 in the opener of a six-game set Tuesday night at TD Ballpark. Dunedin’s 19 strikeouts in the contest are their
Blue Jays RHP Gilberto Batista Named FSL Pitcher of the Week
DUNEDIN, FL - Dunedin Blue Jays RHP Gilberto Batista has been named the Florida State League Pitcher of the Week for May 6–11, 2025. Batista earned his first win of the season on Saturday, May 10 against Fort Myers, striking out a career-high nine batters over five shutout innings. He
Dominant Pitching, Timely Rally Power Jays to Fifth Straight Win
FORT MYERS, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays extended their win streak to five games as they defeated the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels 7-4 in their series finale on Sunday afternoon at Hammond Stadium. The Blue Jays rallied back from an early 3-0 deficit. The Blue Jays pitching staff has
Batista Carves, Brown Drives in Three as Jays Win Fourth Straight
FORT MYERS, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays claimed their fourth consecutive game and clinched a series victory as they shut out the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels 3-0 in game five of a six-game series Saturday night at Hammond Stadium. Gilberto Batista, Nate LaRue, Johan Simon, and Javen Coleman combined
Stephen Shoves, Jays Smash Season-High 16 Hits To Win Third Straight
FORT MYERS, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays won their third consecutive game and picked up their sixth win over their last eight as they defeated the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels 9-1 in game four of a six-game series Friday night at Hammond Stadium. Dunedin’s bullpen trio of Bennett Flynn,
Joseph’s Go-Ahead Homer Lifts Blue Jays Over Fort Myers
FORT MYERS, FL - Jean Joseph’s go-ahead 9th inning homer lifted the Dunedin Blue Jays over the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels 5-4 in game three of a six-game series Thursday night at Hammond Stadium. The Blue Jays have homered eight times over the first three games of the series and
Yesavage, Stanifer Dominate as Dunedin Downs Fort Myers, 7-3
FORT MYERS, FL - Dominant pitching from Trey Yesavage and Gage Stanifer, coupled with timely hitting, powered the Dunedin Blue Jays to a 7-3 win over the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels in game two of a six-game series Wednesday night at Hammond Stadium. Yesavage and Stanifer combined to allow one
Power Surge Falls Short in Extra-Inning Heartbreaking Loss to Ft. Myers
FORT MYERS, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays dropped an 11-inning heartbreaker to the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels 13-12 in game one of a six-game series on Tuesday night at Hammond Stadium. Dunedin battled back from a 6-0 deficit in the 2nd inning to tie the ballgame in the 7th
D3 Second Baseman Turned Blue Jays 102 MPH Flamethrower: Meet Colby Martin
DUNEDIN, FL - The Toronto Blue Jays have a pitcher in their farm system who throws 102 MPH. That’s not the crazy part. Until last year, Colby Martin was a Division III second baseman. A Lititz, Pennsylvania native, Martin bounced around Dlll programs and finally landed at Shenandoah University in
Yesavage Named Florida State League Pitcher of the Week
DUNEDIN, FL - Dunedin Blue Jays RHP Trey Yesavage has been named Florida State League Pitcher of the Week for April 29–May 4. Toronto’s No. 2 prospect, Yesavage earned his first professional win on May 1 vs. Clearwater, tossing six shutout innings with eight strikeouts, no walks, and just four
Duran Homers, Jays Drop Series Finale to Daytona
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays fell to the Daytona Tortugas 6-2 in their series finale on Sunday afternoon at TD Ballpark. RHP Gilberto Batista (4 IP, 4 R, 1 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 1 K) took the loss, allowing four runs (one earned) in four frames with
Third Straight Double-Digit Hit Night Powers 14-1 Win
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays tallied their third consecutive double-digit hit game as they defeated the Daytona Tortugas 14-1 in game two of a three-game series on Saturday night at TD Ballpark. The Blue Jays are outscoring opponents 32-4 over their last three games, and their +66 run
Holcombe, Aponte Lead Dunedin Past Daytona in Series Opener
DUNEDIN, FL - Three different Dunedin Blue Jays logged three-hit games as they defeated the Daytona Tortugas 8-2 in game one of a three-game series on Friday night at TD Ballpark. RHP Colby Holcombe (5 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 6 K) picked up his second win of
Yesavage Wins Battle of Aces in Jays' 10-1 Rout
DUNEDIN, FL - Blue Jays top pitching prospect Trey Yesavage outdueled Phillies top pitching prospect Andrew Painter as the Dunedin Blue Jays fired on all cylinders to defeat the Clearwater Threshers 10-1 in their series finale on Thursday night at TD Ballpark. Yesavage, Gage Stanifer, and Javen Coleman combined for
Offense Silenced as Jays Shut Out by Threshers
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays were shut out by the Clearwater Threshers 4-0 on Wednesday night in in game two of a three-game series at TD Ballpark. Dunedin was kept off the scoreboard for the first time this season, and tallied a season low five total bases. JR
Late Lead Slips Away as Jays Drop Opener to Threshers
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays dropped their series opener to the Clearwater Threshers 5-4 on Tuesday night in a late-inning thriller in game one of a three-game series at TD Ballpark. Tuesday’s contest saw four lead changes. RHP Gilberto Batista (5 IP, 4 R, 5 H, 2 BB,
Catcher-Turned-Pitcher Nate LaRue Embracing New Role
Since Little League, Nate LaRue’s right arm from behind the plate has been his calling card. It earned him a scholarship to Auburn University, where he gunned down 36% of would-be base stealers. It earned him a free-agent deal with the Blue Jays after his senior year in 2023. Then,
Tibbitts, Munoz Power Jays To Series Finale Victory
TAMPA, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays secured their third consecutive victory as defeated the Tampa Tarpons 8-5 on Sunday afternoon in their series finale at The Tank. Dunedin concludes the six-game set with Tampa having won five games and have won seven of their last nine contests. Dunedin’s 12
Shaw Homers, Pitching Dominates As Jays Take Series Over Tarpons
TAMPA, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays clinched their first series win of the season as they defeated the Tampa Tarpons 5-1 on Saturday afternoon in game five of a six-game series at The Tank. Dunedin has taken four of the first five games in the set, and have won
Yesavage Dazzles Again, Stanifer Slams Door in Jays Win
TAMPA, FL - Trey Yesavage was perfect into the fifth and Gage Stanifer delivered four shutout innings of relief as the Dunedin Blue Jays defeated the Tampa Tarpons 4-2 on Friday afternoon in game four of a six-game series at The Tank. Dunedin has taken three of the first four
Offense Stalled In 7-2 Setback To Tarpons
TAMPA, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays offense was stymied as they fell to the Tampa Tarpons 7-2 on Thursday night in game three of a six-game series at The Tank. RHP Austin Cates (5.1 IP, 4 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 1 K) fired 5.1 frames with four runs
Aponte Clears the Bases, Jays Win Thriller in Tampa
TAMPA, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays defeated the Tampa Tarpons 6-5 on Wednesday night in a thriller in game two of their six-game series at The Tank. Dunedin has won back-to-back games to open up their series, and have won four of their last five contests. RHP Gilberto Batista
Munoz’s Three-Hit Game, Defensive Gems Spark Jays Past Tarpons
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays topped the Tampa Tarpons 6-3 on Tuesday evening backed by timely hitting in game one of their six-game series at The Tank. RHP Khal Stephen (5 IP, 2 R, 2 R, 6 H, 0 BB, 5 K) fired five frames and allowed a