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MLB

Rocket Wheeler named Mudcats manager

Pitching Coach Derrick Lewis & Hitting Coach Carlos Mendez to return
By Greg Young
December 16, 2015

ZEBULON, NC - The Atlanta Braves announced its 2016 minor league field staff assignments today. The assignments include Manager Ralph "Rocket" Wheeler who was appointed as the new manager of the Carolina Mudcats. Returning to the Mudcats are both pitching coach Derrick Lewis and hitting coach Carlos Mendez. Trainer Nick Flynn rounds out the Mudcats' 2016 field staff assignments.

Wheeler managed the Danville Braves in 2015 and is entering his 14th season overall as a manager in the Braves organization. He previously managed the Gulf Coast League Braves from 2011 to 2014, the Mississippi Braves in 2011, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans from 2006 to 2010 and the Rome Braves from 2003 to 2005.

Wheeler has amassed a 1,257-1,349 (.482) record over his 23-year minor league managerial career. His assignment to the Mudcats marks his second as manager of the Braves High-A affiliate. He earned Baseball America Minor League Manager of the Year honors in 2008 after leading the Myrtle Beach Pelicans to a franchise record 89 regular season wins. He also won the Carolina League Manager of the Year award that same season. The Braves named Wheeler their Minor League Manager of the Year in 2003 after he lead Rome to the South Atlantic League Championship. Wheeler previously spent 26 seasons (1977-2002) in the Toronto Blue Jays organization as a player, coach and manager.

Lewis is in his 13th season with the Braves and his third at the High-A level. He has also coached the Lynchburg Hillcats (2011-2014), Rome Braves (2008-2010), Danville Braves (2004-2007) and the Gulf Coast League Braves (2004-2007).

Mendez enters his third season at the High-A level and his ninth overall in the Braves system. He joined the Braves organization in 2008 as a hitting instructor for Danville and remained with the rookie level Braves through 2010. Mendez later took over as hitting coach in Rome from 2011 to 2012. In 2013, he worked as the hitting coach of the Gulf Coast League Braves before returning to again Danville in 2014.

Flynn is in his first season as the Mudcats' trainer. He comes to the Braves organization after serving the previous two seasons as the trainer for Tampa Bay's Single-A affiliate.

The Braves also announced that former Mudcats manager Luis Salazar would be moved to Double-A Mississippi for the 2016 campaign. Salazar led the 2015 Mudcats to a 71-68 mark and is in his 13th season a manager in the Braves organization.

The Carolina Mudcats are the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The 2015 "Braves New World" season was the first for the Mudcats as an affiliate of the Braves and the club's fourth straight in the historic Carolina League. First established in 1991, the Mudcats recently finished their 25th straight season of baseball at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C.

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