Hardtke Named Manager
Arizona has also named former Major League all-star Doug Drabek as Rawhide Pitching Coach, while Andy Abad will be Visalia's new Hitting Coach. Jordan Wolf will be the team's Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Ben Fraser will serve as Trainer.
Jason Hardtke, 38, will enter his 3rd season in the organization and his 1st as a manager. He has spent the last two seasons in Missoula, where he was the Osprey's Hitting Coach. He originally hails from San Jose, California, and was signed by the Cleveland Indians out of high school in 1990.
During Hardtke's 12-year professional career, he spent time in the Indians, Padres, Mets, Cubs, Reds, Rockies, and White Sox organizations. He played in the Major Leagues from 1996-98 with the Mets and Cubs. He also spent a season in Japan with the Hanshin Tigers.
Doug Drabek, meanwhile, makes the move to Visalia from short-season Yakima, where he made his coaching debut last year. Drabek, 48, won 155 games during a 13-year Major League career for the Yankees, Pirates, Astros, White Sox, and Orioles. He won the 1990 National League Cy Young Award when he posted 22 wins and a 2.76 ERA, and is most remembered for his tenure with the Pittsburgh Pirates teams that won the NL East title from 1990-92.
Drabek has two sons that have played baseball professionally. Kyle Drabek was called up to the Toronto Blue Jays in September for his Major League debut; he was acquired by Toronto from Philadelphia in the Roy Halladay trade of 2009. Justin Drabek played in the Independent Leagues from 2006-08.
Andy Abad, 37, enters his third season as hitting coach in the D-backs' system and his first in Visalia. During his 15-year professional career, he played in the organizations of the Red Sox, Athletics, Marlins, Pirates, Indians, Reds, and Brewers organizations, and appeared in 15 Major League games. A native of Jupiter, Florida, Abad is of Cuban descent.
With exciting new Diamondbacks draft picks working their way through the system, the Rawhide coaching staff figures to have plenty of talent to work with.
"We are looking forward to the 2011 season," said club President Tom Seidler. "It will be our fifth with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who have been a great partner to the ballclub and the Visalia community."
The Rawhide open the 2011 season at home on Thursday, April 7th against Bakersfield. For ticket information, call (559) 732-4433 ext. 26.