Ray Martinez, who has had a previous stint with the Billings Mustangs, was named the team’s manager for the 2016 season.
The Mustangs and their parent club, the Cincinnati Reds, made the announcement on Monday.
Martinez, who was the Mustangs hitting coach in 2012, replaces Dick Schofield, who moves up to Class A Dayton (Ohio) of the Midwest League after two seasons in Billings.
Joining Martinez on the Mustangs stuff will be hitting coach Joe Thurston; pitching coach Seth Etherton; bench coach Todd Takayoshi; athletic trainer Jesse Guffey and strength coach Trey Strickland.
“In as much as we hate losing Dick, we’re thrilled that Ray will be managing the team this season,” Mustangs general manager Gary Roller said in a statement. “We established a solid working relationship with him in 2012 and look forward to building on that relationship this summer.”
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The 47-year-old Martinez is in his sixth season with the Reds. Most recently he managed the Arizona League rookie Reds to a 27-29 record last summer. He has also served as hitting coach for Class A Bakersfield (2013-14), Billings (2012) and the AZL Reds.
The Mustangs batted a league-low .263 under Martinez in 2012, though he helped guide Jesse Winker (.338) and Carlos Sanchez (.308) to solid seasons.
“Ray Martinez is a tremendous individual with a passion for developing young players,” said Jeff Graupe, the Reds director of player development. “He has a wealth of experience as a player and coach and will be asked to create a culture of professionalism and competitiveness amongst our rookie-level players.
“His work ethic and dedication to the team will provide an outstanding guide and I am excited for his move to Billings.”
Selected in the seventh round of the 1987 draft, Martinez played 18 professional seasons, which included several years in the Mexican League. He played in more than 1,500 minor league games.
Etherton was a first-round selection of the Anaheim Angels in 1998. He logged more than 1,000 minor-league innings and has a lifetime mark of 9-7 in the major leagues. He’s also been a pitching coach at the University of San Francisco.
Thurston was picked in the fourth round of the 1999 draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 13 minor league seasons (not including stints in foreign leagues), Thurston batted .292. He made 307 plate appearances in the major leagues and hit .250.
The Mustangs open the 2016 season on June 17 with a game at Dehler Park against the Missoula Osprey.