Daytona Tortugas announce new manager, 2020 Field Staff

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - On Thursday, the Cincinnati Reds announced their minor league coaching staff assignments for the upcoming 2020 campaign. Dick Schofield, a 14-year Major League veteran, will serve as the team's manager for the upcoming campaign. Fellow newcomer, Darren Bragg, who had an 11-year MLB career, takes over as the team's bench coach. Tom Brown and Alex Peláez are set to return as the Tortugas' pitching and hitting coaches, respectively.

2020 will mark Schofield's eighth season in the Reds' organization. The 56-year-old served spent the 2019 season serving as the bench coach for the Triple-A Louisville Bats. In 2018, Schofield began the campaign as Louisville's bench coach before taking over as the squad's skipper on April 19 after manager Pat Kelly joined the Major League staff. The St. Louis resident has also served as manager for the Low-A Dayton Dragons in 2016, as well as leading the Rookie Billings Mustangs in 2014 and 2015. Since joining the Reds' organization, he has also worked as the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos' bench coach in 2017 and hitting coach in 2013. Schofield has also served as a minor league coach in the Los Angeles Angels' system in 2011 and 2012.
Schofield spent parts of 14 seasons in Major League Baseball with the California Angels (1983-92; 1995-96), New York Mets (1992), Toronto Blue Jays (1993-94), and Los Angeles Dodgers (1995). During his time in the big leagues, the former shortstop collected a .230 lifetime average (989-4299) with 225 extra-base hits, 56 home runs, 353 RBI, and 120 stolen bases. The Illinois native appeared in the Florida State Leauge as a Major League rehabber in 1993, participating in 11 contests with the Dunedin Blue Jays. The one-time World Series champion is the son of Dick Schofield, who played 19 seasons in the MLB (1953-71) and was a member of the 1960 World Series champion Pittsburgh Pirates. He is also the uncle of 2008 World Series champion, one-time All-Star, and 15-year veteran outfielder Jayson Werth. Schofield was originally drafted by the California Angels in the first round (third overall) of the 1981 MLB Draft out of Griffin High School (Springfield, Ill.).
Also new to Volusia County in 2020 will be bench coach Darren Bragg. Now in his 13th season working in the Reds' farm system, the 50-year-old spent last season in the same role with the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts. Prior to 2019, Bragg was the organization's minor league outfield coordinator for parts of 10 seasons. Bragg left that role to serve as Schofield's bench coach with Triple-A Louisville following his promotion to manager on April 19, 2018. Additionally, the Connecticut native was Low-A Dayton's hitting coach from 2007-08. 
During his time in the Major Leagues, Bragg played parts of 11 season with the Seattle Mariners (1994-96), Boston Red Sox (1996-98), St. Louis Cardinals (1999), Colorado Rockies (2000), New York Mets (2001), New York Yankees (2001), Atlanta Braves (2002-03), San Diego Padres (2004), and Cincinnati Reds (2004). In 916 career games, the left-handed swinger accumulated a .255 batting average (627-2461) with 205 extra-base knocks, 46 home runs, 260 runs batted in, and 56 stolen bases. Bragg was a standout college player, setting an NCAA record with 73 walks in 1989, named All-ACC twice, and was inducted in the Georgia Tech's Hall-of-Fame in 2002. The former outfielder also played for the United States during the 1990 Goodwill Games. Bragg was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 22nd round of the 1991 MLB Draft out of Georgia Tech.
Tom Brown enters his 14th season in the Reds' organization and his fifth in charge of Daytona's pitching staff. The Tortugas' have tallied a 3.95 ERA (2055 ER in 4682.2 IP) and 4,188 strikeouts combined over his first four campaigns. Prior to joining Daytona, the 70-year-old served as pitching coach for Cincinnati players rehabbing in at the team's complex in Goodyear, Ariz. (2014-15), the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (2012-13), Carolina Mudcats (2010-11), and Sarasota Reds (2007-09). Before joining Cincinnati, Brown held roles as the pitching coach for the Albuquerque Isotopes (2006), Fresno Grizzlies (2005), Portland Beavers (2003-04), Las Vegas 51's (1999), Oklahoma RedHawks/Oklahoma City 89ers (1995-98), Gulf Coast League Orioles (1991), and Hagerstown Suns (1988-90). The Venice, Fla. resident also served as the San Diego Padres' Minor League Pitching Coordinator from 2000 to 2002.
As a player, Brown played seven seasons in the Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, and Toronto Blue Jays organizations. The alum of Northeast Louisiana University - now the University of Louisiana at Monroe - appeared in six MLB games with the Mariners in 1978, recording a 4.15 ERA (6 ER in 13.0 IP). Brown was originally signed by the Kansas City Royals as an amateur free agent prior to the beginning of the 1971 season.
Also returning to The Jack for his fourth-consecutive season will be hitting coach Alex Peláez. Now in his 12th year as a coach in the Reds' system, the 43-year-old has overseen a Daytona lineup that has registered a .251 clip (3351-13352), scored 1,640 runs, and slammed 242 home runs in his first three campaigns. Before his time in the FSL, Peláez served as the hitting coach for the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos (2014-16), Low-A Dayton Dragons (2011-13), and Rookie Billings Mustangs (2010). The Chula Vista, Calif. resident was also a hitting instructor for the GCL Reds in 2009 and worked as Team Mexico's hitting coach for the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
A 42nd-round selection of the San Diego Padres back in 1998 out of San Diego State University, Peláez played eight professional campaigns in both the Padres and Reds organizations. He appeared in three MLB games for San Diego in 2002, going 2-for-8 (.250) at the plate.
The Reds have not yet announced who will serve as the team's athletic trainer and strength and conditioning coach for the 2020 season. Last year's manager and bench coach, Ricky Gutiérrez and Lenny Harris, will work in the same roles this coming season for Double-A Chattanooga.
Schofield will make his debut as the Tortugas' manager on April 9, 2020, as the Tortugas kick-off their season against the Florida Fire Frogs, High-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET. To purchase season tickets, group packages, and more, please contact the Daytona box office at (386) 257-3172 or by visiting www.daytonatortugas.com.
ABOUT THE DAYTONA TORTUGAS
The Daytona Tortugas are the High-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of the Florida State League. The Tortugas play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in downtown Daytona Beach, Fla. Jackie Robinson Ballpark also plays host to Bethune-Cookman University, the Beijing Shougang Eagles of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) and many large community events and initiatives throughout the season.