Tri-City Coaching Staff Announced
Tri-City Coaching Staff Announced
Brandon Wood to Manage Dust Devils
The Tri-City Dust Devils and San Diego Padres have announced the Dust Devils' coaching staff for the 2016 season. Brandon Wood will take over as manager, with hitting coach Oscar Bernard and coach Vinny Lopez. The Padres and Dust Devils will announce a new pitching coach prior to the 2016 season.
"After an exciting 2015 in our first year with the Padres we are thrilled to welcome in the new coaching staff," Derrel Ebert, Tri-City Vice President - General Manager, said. "We are all looking forward to another successful season in 2016."
Wood made his coaching and managerial debut last season for the Padres Arizona Summer League affiliate. He was drafted 23rd overall out of high school by the Anaheim Angels in the 2003 MLB Draft. He played parts of five major league seasons with the Angels (2007-2011) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (2011) and played for affiliates of the Colorado Rockies (2012), Baltimore Orioles (2013) and Kansas City Royals (2013).
"The Padres are excited to have Brandon Wood and the rest of the Dust Devils on field staff lead our club in '16," said Sam Geaney, Director of Player Development for the Padres. "The 2015 club excited all season and while '16 will see a new group of players and coaches I'm sure it'll prove to be another enjoyable club and season for the fans in the Tri-Cities to follow all summer."
Bernard played five seasons of professional baseball in the Chicago Cubs organization (2003-2007), including parts of three seasons in the Northwest League with the Boise Hawks (2004, 2006 and 2007). He is entering his ninth season as a hitting coach in Minor League Baseball, and his first with the Padres and Dust Devils. He coached five season (2008-2012) in the Texas Rangers organization and three seasons with the Cubs (2013-2015). Bernard was the hitting coach for the Spokane Indians in 2012.
Lopez, also a former Spokane coach (2012-2103), is in his fifth season of coaching professional baseball, and his first with the Padres. He spent three seasons coaching in the Rangers organization before moving on to be an assistant coach at the University of Southern California. He spent last season as hitting coach for the Gulf Coast League affiliate of the Houston Astros.
The Dust Devils will open the season at Gesa Stadium June 17th against the Everett AquaSox. Ticket packages for the 2016 season start at just $49, with full-season tickets available starting at only $285. Special ticket rates are available for groups of 20 or more. Season tickets, mini-plans, and group tickets can be purchased by contacting the Dust Devils front office at (509) 544-8789 or at the Gesa Stadium box office.
Dust Devils Baseball… "It Will Blow You Away!"