Mississippi names field staff
Holbert returns for his second year with the Mississippi Braves and his sixth year managing a Minor League team. Under Holbert's guidance in 2012, Mississippi promoted 11 players to Gwinnett and several, like Andrelton Simmons, to Atlanta. He also sent eight M-Braves to the 2012 Southern League All-Star Game: Ryan Buchter, Christian Bethancourt, Todd Cunningham, Sean Gilmartin, David Hale, Gary Moran, Andrelton Simmons and Zeke Spruill. His club secured the M-Braves' 500th franchise victory on Aug. 6. During the offseason, Holbert managed the Phoenix Desert Dogs in the Arizona Fall League.
Garey Ingram will return as Mississippi's hitting coach for his fourth straight season. Ingram has mentored and developed several players over his career in Mississippi including Mauro Gomez, Antoan Richardson, Tyler Pastornicky and Ernesto Mejia. One of the most notable players receiving direction from Ingram during 2012 was All-Star outfielder Todd Cunnningham, who made his first Double-A start on opening day of last season. Ranked as the 16th best prospect in the Braves organization by Baseball America, he impressed throughout the year as a prominent leadoff hitter leader with an overall .309 batting average, third-best in the Southern League.
New to the field staff is pitching coach Dennis Lewallyn. New to Braves organization, Lewallyn brings more than 20 years of Minor League experience. Since 2007, he has worked with players at a variety of levels in the Chicago Cubs Minor League system, serving as the organization's Minor League pitching coordinator in 2011-12.
Ricky Alcantara rounds out the staff as the M-Braves trainer, a position he has held with the club since 2008.
The Mississippi Braves open the 2013 season at home on Thu, April 4, against the Mobile BayBears. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. Individual game tickets will be on sale soon. Please visit www.mississippibraves.com online for the current schedule and up-to-date news and information.