Rick Aponte named Greeneville Astros pitching coach

GREENEVILLE, TN- Rick Aponte has been named the new pitching coach for the Greeneville Astros. He will be filling the spot vacated when 2008 pitching coach, Travis Driskill, was moved to the Class A Lexington Legends.

Aponte enters his first season in Greeneville, following a two-year stint with the Washington Nationals as a bullpen coach. Aponte spent 32 years prior to the 2009 season in Houston's minor league system as a player, coach, or scout. He spent more than 10 seasons domestically as a pitching coach in Houston's minor league system at various levels, including stints in Auburn (1987), Kissimmee (1988-89), and Burlington (1992). Aponte also managed Houston's Rookie Dominican Republican Summer League for seven seasons (1993-1999), before shifting into the DSL pitching coach position from 2000-06.

As a player, Aponte pitched in the Houston chain for six seasons (1975-1980) and reached the Triple A level with the Charleston Charlies of the International League and the Tuscon Toros of the Pacific Coast League before completing his minor league career.

The Greeneville Astros begin their home schedule against the Danville Braves at 7:00pm on June 26th at Pioneer Park. For more information on the Astros, please call (423) 638-0411.