Reinaldo Ruiz to manage the Stone Crabs in 2018

The Tampa Bay Rays issued the following announcement Wednesday:
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-In advance of minor league baseball's Opening Day, the Rays have made the following changes to their minor league coaching staffs: Reinaldo Ruiz will manage Class-A Charlotte, Craig Albernaz will manage Class-A Bowling Green and Blake Butera will manage Rookie-level Hudson Valley. Charlotte and Bowling Green both open the season on Thursday, April 5. Hudson Valley's season opener is scheduled for June 15.
Ruiz, 38, replaces Jim Morrison, who is taking a medical leave of absence. Ruiz spent the previous three seasons with Bowling Green, led the Hot Rods to postseason appearances in each of the last two seasons and a franchise-record 84 wins in 2016. During the 2016-17 offseason, he coached the Brisbane Bandits of the Australian Baseball League and helped them win the Claxton Shield trophy. Previously, Ruiz served as hitting coach for Rookie-level Princeton (2012-14), Hudson Valley (2010-11) and the Rookie-level GCL Rays (2009), and as catching instructor for the Rookie-level VSL Rays (2007-08). He has also coached first (2013-14) and third base (2014-15) for the Bravos de Margarita in the Venezuelan Winter League, and spent two years (2005-06) as the hitting coach for the Navegantes del Magallanes in the Venezuelan Winter League after concluding an eight-year career as a professional catcher (1997-2005).
Ruiz will become the fifth manager in Stone Crabs' history. He'll be joined by Steve "Doc" Watson (pitching coach), Joe Szekely and German Melendez on this year's staff.