Vermont 2012 Field Staff Announced

BURLINGTON, VT --- Manager Rick Magnante and hitting coach Casey Myers will return to Vermont in 2012 as part of the Lake Monsters field staff along with new pitching coach Ariel Prieto, the Oakland Athletics announced today with the naming of coaching staffs for each of their minor league organizations.

Magnante led the 2011 Lake Monsters to a 39-35 record and the Stedler Division title in his first season as Vermont manager. Along with being his second year as Lake Monsters skipper, 2012 will also mark Magnante's seventh straight season as manager of Oakland's short-season single-A affiliate (spent 2006-2010 at Vancouver of the Northwest League).

Myers returns to Vermont for his second season as Lake Monsters hitting coach and fourth straight year on a Magnante-led staff (was hitting coach at Vancouver in 2009 and 2010).

Prieto replaces John Wasdin as the Lake Monsters pitching coach after serving in the same position for the last three years with the Arizona League Athletics. Wasdin will spend the 2012 season as the pitching coach for the single-A Burlington Bees in the Midwest League.

A former Major League pitcher, Prieto spent five seasons (1995-1998, 2000) with Oakland and one season with Tampa Bay (2001). Oakland's opening day starter in 1997, the Cuban-born Prieto was 15-24 with a 4.85 ERA in 70 career Major League appearances (60 starts) and was also a member of the Cuban National team from 1990 to 1994.

"In our first season with the Athletics, we could not have asked for much more than we got. Rick and Casey are truly role models and great coaches," Lake Monsters General Manager Nate Cloutier said. "We are excited to have Rick and Casey back and welcome Ariel to the coaching staff. We are excited to build off the success of the 2011 season with this staff."

The Lake Monsters begin their 19th season as a member of the New York-Penn League in June of 2012. Season tickets, mini packages and sponsorship opportunities can be found here on the team website or by calling the front office at (802) 655-4200.