Hillcats Announce 2010 Staff
Published on November 16, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Hill City Howlers News Release
(Lynchburg, VA) - The Lynchburg Hillcats announced today their staff for the upcoming 2010 campaign. The Cincinnati Reds, the Hillcats new parent club, assigned the new staff for next year.
Pat Kelly has been named the manager of Lynchburg, after he guided the GCL Reds the last three seasons. Rigo Beltran will be the pitching coach and Tony Jaramillo will serve as the hitting coach for the 'Cats. Both were with the Reds' Low-A affiliate, the Dayton Dragons, during the 2008 campaign.
Kelly, who will be the 16th manager in the Hillcats history, also handled the responsibility of Director of On-Field Operations for the Reds the last three years. He left his duties briefly in 2007 when Reds interim manager Pete Mackanin hired him as big league bench coach (Mackanin served as manager for Carolina League champion Hillcats in 2002). He has also held the job as the minor leagues' catching coordinator for Cincinnati. After Kelly was a professional scout for Atlanta in 2006 he rejoined the Reds organization in '07. He has spent 21 seasons managing in the minor leagues for 15 teams.
Kelly's time as manager includes stints in Richmond (2003-05), Syracuse (1999-2000), Ottawa (1997-98), Harrisburg (1995-96), Chattanooga (1993-94), Indianapolis (1991-92), Rockford (1991), Las Vegas (1990), Wichita (1988-89), Reno (1987), Charleston (1986), Glens Falls (1985) and the GCL White Sox (1984). He also served as pitching coach with Glens Falls and the GCL White Sox. The former professional catcher was drafted in the third round of the 1973 amateur draft. Kelly spent time in the Angels, Blue Jays, Braves and White Sox organizations during his playing career. He reached the majors in 1980 with Toronto.
Beltran spent his third season in the Reds system last year and his first with Dayton. The two previous seasons he served as pitching coach for the GCL Reds, working on the staff with Kelly. A former major league pitcher, Beltran appeared in parts of five seasons with St. Louis (1997), the New York Mets (1998-99), Colorado (1999-2000) and Montreal (2004). He was selected by St Louis in the 1991 free agent draft and began his 16-year playing career in the Cardinals system.
Jaramillo will enter his third season in the Reds organization and his first with Lynchburg in 2010. Before serving at Low-A Dayton last season, he was the hitting coach for Rookie Billings in 2007 in the Pioneer League. Previous to that he coached in the Detroit Tigers system, serving as the West Michigan hitting instructor from 2004-06. Jaramillo played professionally from 1998-2003, including three years in the Texas Rangers organization.
Dale Nitzel will also be joining the 2010 staff as the Athletic Trainer for the Hillcats. He was a part of Kelly's staff last season as Athletic Trainer for the GCL Reds.
The 2010 season will get underway for the defending Carolina League champions on Thursday, April 8th when the Hillcats take on the Frederick Keys in a 6:05 p.m. start at Lynchburg City Stadium.
Carolina League Stories from November 16, 2009
- Hillcats Announce 2010 Staff - Hill City Howlers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
