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MLB

Mudcats Announce 2015 Field Staff

By
December 16, 2014

For Immediate Release - December 16, 2014

Mudcats Announce 2015 Field Staff

By Darren Headrick / Carolina Mudcats (919-269-2287/[email protected])

Zebulon, N.C. - The Carolina Mudcats are excited to unveil their 2015 field staff as they prepare for their first season as the Advanced-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Luis Salazar, who has 15-plus years of major league coaching experience, will helm the Mudcats this summer. Carlos Mendez will serve as the team's hitting coach, while Derrick Lewis joins the staff as the pitching coach. Trainer Joe Toenjes will begin his first season with the Mudcats as well.

Salazar skippered the Lynchburg Hillcats the past four seasons and guided his team into the postseason each of the past three years. The Hillcats won the Carolina League title in 2012. The upcoming season will mark his fifth as the manager of the Braves' Advanced-A team. He has compiled a 567-623 (.476) record over his 12 campaigns as a manager in the minor leagues. Prior to joining the Braves, Salazar managed farm teams for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers. His 13-year major league playing career included time with the San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers and the Chicago Cubs.

Lewis begins his first year with Carolina and second as the pitching coach for the Braves' Advanced-A club. It will mark his 12th season overall with the Braves organization. Over the past 10 seasons, Lewis has worked his way up the Braves' player development ladder, beginning his coaching career with the Gulf Coast League Braves. His affiliation with the organization dates back to 1997 when Atlanta drafted him in the 20th round. He was selected the Myrtle Beach Pitcher of the Year in 1999 after finishing second in the Carolina League for ERA. Lewis was 31-37 with a 4.04 ERA in 161 minor league games (six seasons).

2015 will be the eighth season in the Braves organization for Mendez and his first as hitting coach for the Mudcats. He spent four years as the hitting coach for the Danville Braves before a promotion to Lynchburg in 2014. Mendez helped the Hillcats finish in a tie for second in the Carolina League with a .261 team batting average. He played for five different organizations over 16 seasons in the minors, finishing with a career .297 average. Mendez earned several All-Star nods during his playing career. He made his Major League debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 2003.

Toenjes enters his sixth season with the Braves and his third with the Advanced-A team. A graduate of the University of Central Florida, Toenjes served as head athletic trainer at Newberry College (South Carolina) from 2008 to 2010.

The Carolina Mudcats are the Advanced-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and will begin their fourth season in the historic Carolina League next year. The Mudcats open the 2015 season on Thursday, April 9, against the Salem Red Sox at Five County Stadium. Information on season tickets, group outings and a full schedule will be released at a later date. Fans can purchase tickets or find more information by calling (919) 269-2287 or by visiting carolinamudcats.com.