2013 Field Staff Announced
Salazar completed his 10th season as a minor league manager last year, and celebrated the milestone with his first managerial championship as the Hillcats took home the Mills Cup and Carolina League Title last September. Prior to joining the Braves organization and the Hillcats, he managed and coached in the Brewers and Dodgers organizations. He spent seven seasons with the Brewers, including one as the major league first base coach. From 2002-2009, Salazar served as a Rookie-level and Single-A manager, and Double-A hitting coach in the Dodgers organization.
As a player, Salazar had a 13-year major league career in which he played for the San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, and Chicago Cubs. He was originally signed by the Kansas City Royals in 1973 out of his home country of Venezuela, but eventually made his big league debut with the Padres. Primarily a third baseman, he played every position on the field except catcher including two innings on the mound.
Botelho will once again handle the Hillcats' pitching staff. He brings 35 years of professional baseball experience as a player and coach to the staff. He has served as a pitching coach for nearly every level in the Braves farm system, including three seasons with Triple-A. Last year, with the Hillcats, he won his third championship in his 11 years coaching in the Braves organization. He also won titles with the 2008 Mississippi Braves (Double-A) and the 2003 Gulf Coast League Braves (Rookie-level).
Originally drafted as a shortstop in 1974 by Philadelphia, but eventually signed as a pitcher in 1976, again selected by Philadelphia. He compiled over 100 wins in the minor leagues, and had two stints in the majors in 1982 (Kansas City Royals) and in 1985 (Chicago Cubs).
Joining the Hillcats staff for his first season will be hitting coach John Moses, who comes to the Braves organization after serving as the hitting coach for Double-A Corpus Christi (Astros organization) in 2011. In his only season with Corpus Christi, Moses was named the Mike Coolbaugh Texas League Coach of the Year. Prior to 2011, he spent three years as the Triple-A hitting coach in the Dodgers organization. Moses also played 11 seasons in the majors with Seattle, Minnesota, and Detroit, playing his final season in 1992.
Lynchburg will also welcome Joe Teonjes as the new athletic trainer in 2013. Teonjes is entering his fourth season in the Braves organization, after spending his last two with the Gulf Coast League Braves.
The Hillcats begin the 2013 season April 5 on the road against the Potomac Nationals. Their first home game will be April 9 against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. For ticket and schedule information visit lynchburg-hillcats.com or call the ticket office at 434-528-1144.