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 Greenville Drive

Febles to Return as Drive Manager in 2013

December 14, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC-The Boston Red Sox announced on Friday that Carlos Febles will return to Greenville in 2013 for his second season as the Drive's manager. The rest of the coaching staff are familiar faces in the Red Sox organization but new to Greenville, as Paul Abbott has been named the pitching coach, while Tim Hyers will serve as the hitting coach.

With the 2013 Drive coaching staff set, the Red Sox have insured that their highly acclaimed player development system is set to continue its winning ways as many of the organization's top prospects have the opportunity to play at Fluor Field at the West End.

Drive General Manager, Mike deMaine noted, "The Red Sox are among the best in the game at scouting, drafting and developing emerging major league talent. Current major leaguers Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester, Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, Will Middlebrooks and Ryan Lavarnway are great examples of the effectiveness of the Red Sox development system." deMaine added, "We are looking forward to welcoming back Carlos while introducing Paul and Tim to the Greenville community."

The 36-year old Febles returns after posting a 66-73 record in his first year at the helm in Greenville. His team ranked among the league leaders with 270 doubles (2nd), 519 walks (3rd), 188 stolen bases (4th), and a .343 on-base percentage (5th). In addition, the Drive pitching staff finished among the league leaders with 460 walks (4th fewest) and 1,088 strikeouts (5th).

The 2013 season will be Febles' seventh in the Red Sox organization. Prior to his stint with the Drive, he served as the Lowell Spinners manager in 2011, as well as the hitting coach for the Salem Red Sox (2009-10) and Lancaster JetHawks (2008), after making his professional coaching debut with Lowell in 2007. Febles led the JetHawks to California League-best marks in batting (.285), hits (1,423) and home runs (154) in 2008.

A former second baseman, Febles spent six seasons with the Kansas City Royals from 1998 to 2003, batting .250 with 24 home runs and 146 RBI. As a rookie in 1999, he set career-highs in homers (10), RBI (53), and stolen bases (20). The Dominican Republic native led all American League rookies with nine triples that season, while ranking in OBP (2nd, .336), walks (2nd, 47), stolen bases (T-2nd) and runs (3rd, 71). Febles played his final professional season in 2004 for the Red Sox organization with Pawtucket.

"We are excited about Greenville's coaching staff in 2013 and believe they will have an excellent impact on our players there," stated Red Sox Director of Player Development, Ben Crockett. "Carlos will lead the staff once again with great energy and positivity that players relate to, not to mention his accomplished career as a Major League player and coach."

Crockett added, "Paul Abbott will bring a wealth of knowledge about pitching and professional baseball to the staff in Greenville, while Tim Hyers has shown us his passion for hitting during his time as an area scout, and this is something that will translate into a successful return to coaching professionally."

Abbott joins the Drive after spending two seasons as pitching coach with the Lowell Spinners, the Red Sox' short-season affiliate in the New York-Penn League. He oversaw a pitching staff in 2012 that stood among the league leaders with a 3.40 ERA (6th), and only 580 hits allowed (3rd fewest). Abbott takes over for Dick Such, who will serve in the same role with the rookie level GCL Red Sox.

Prior to joining the Red Sox organization, he spent two seasons with the independent Golden League's Orange County Flyers, serving as manager in 2010 and as pitching coach in 2009. He was also an assistant coach at Fullerton (CA) Junior College.

A right-handed pitcher, Abbott played 20 seasons of professional ball from 1985-05 and spent parts of 11 seasons in the Major Leagues with the Twins (1990-92), Indians (1993), Mariners (1998-02), Royals (2003), Devil Rays (2004) and Phillies (2004). He was originally selected by Minnesota in the 3rd round of the 1985 draft and earned a career-high 17 victories during the Mariners 116-win season in 2001.

Hyers has spent the past four seasons as an area scout in Georgia for the Red Sox organization. He last coached professionally in 2002 as a hitting coach in the Tigers minor league system, where he helped guide Single-A West Michigan to the best regular season record in the Midwest League. Later, he operated and managed sports training facilities in Atlanta. Hyers replaces Darren Fenster, who has been named the manager of the rookie level GCL Red Sox.

Hyers played 10 seasons in professional baseball as a first baseman and an outfielder. He was originally selected by Toronto in the 2nd round of the 1990 draft and later spent parts of four seasons in the major leagues with the San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers, and Florida Marlins.

Drive President and Co-owner, Craig Brown, commented on the announcement, noting, "The continuing success of the Red Sox at both at the Major League and Minor League levels says much about the quality of their player development and coaching staffs and the wisdom of their emphasis on the draft and player development as key factors to their success".

Brown continued, "Carlos Febles, Paul Abbott and Tim Hyers have proven track records of successfully working with young and talented players, and 2013 promises to be another great year of baseball at Fluor Field. We can't wait to get started."

Ticket plans, group outings, and hospitality accommodations are currently on sale for the 2013 season. Call (864) 240-4500 to speak with a representative or log onto to www.GreenvilleDrive.com for more information.


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