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HomeSportsNashville Sounds announce Coaching Staff for 2016 Season

Nashville Sounds announce Coaching Staff for 2016 Season

Nashville Sounds

Manager Steve Scarsone Returns For Second Season

Nashville SoundsNashville, TN – The Nashville Sounds 2016 coaching staff was named by the Oakland Athletics today and is highlighted by the return of Manager Steve Scarsone.

Scarsone, 49, enters his eighth season in the Oakland organization and fourth consecutive campaign as manager of the club’s top affiliate. His coaching staff will consist of pitching coach Rick Rodriguez, hitting coach Eric Martins, trainer Brad LaRosa and strength and conditioning coach A.J. Seeliger. LaRosa joins Scarsone as the only returning member from the 2015 coaching staff.

Nashville Sounds manager Steve Scarsone.

Scarsone sports a career managerial mark of 634-632 (.501) after guiding the Sounds to a 66-78 record in his first year at the helm in 2015. In three seasons as manager of the A’s top affiliate, Scarsone has compiled a 224-208 (.519) record.

He began his managerial career with two years in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization as manager of the Single-A South Bend Silver Hawks (2001) and Advanced-A Lancaster JetHawks (2002). He stepped away from baseball before returning in 2009 with the Oakland organization. Scarsone managed the Single-A Kane County Cougars (2009), Advanced-A Stockton Ports (2010), Double-A Midland RockHounds (2011-12) and Triple-A Sacramento River Cats (2013-14).

The Anaheim, CA native was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2nd round of the 1986 draft and played seven seasons as a Major League utility infielder with Philadelphia (1992), Baltimore (1992), San Francisco (1993-96), St. Louis (1997) and Kansas City (1999).

Rick Rodriguez, pitching coach

Nashville Sounds Rick Rodriguez, pitching coachRodriguez, 55, takes over as Nashville’s pitching coach after serving in the same role with the Single-A Stockton Ports in 2015. Rodriguez was Triple-A Sacramento’s pitching coach in 12 of the last 16 seasons, including his most recent stint in 2013-14. He also served as the A’s bullpen coach from 2011-12 and as the manager of Advanced-A Modesto in 2003.

This is his 32nd year in the A’s organization, including seven seasons as a player and 23 as a minor league coach.

The East Bay, CA native was selected by Oakland in the second round of the 1981 draft. In 31 career MLB appearances, Rodriguez compiled a 3-4 record with a 5.73 ERA. He pitched with Oakland (1986-87), Cleveland (1988) and San Francisco (1990).

Eric Martins, hitting coach

Nashville Sounds Eric Martins, hitting coachMartins, 43, enters his first season as Nashville’s hitting coach after serving in the same role for Double-A Midland in 2015. Prior to his one season in Midland, Martins was a scout for the A’s since 2007. During his time as a scout, Martins was responsible for signing A.J. Griffin, Daniel Robertson, and 2014 first-round selection Matt Chapman.

The East Los Angeles, CA native was selected by Oakland in the 17th round of the 1994 draft out of Long Beach State. He played professionally for 11 seasons, including parts of four seasons with A’s Triple-A affiliates. He was a part of the 1997 Edmonton team that captured the Pacific Coast League championship and the 1999 Vancouver team that won the Triple-A World Series.

Brad LaRosa, trainer

Nashville Sounds Brad LaRosa, trainerLaRosa will return to Nashville for his second season with the club and ninth as the athletic trainer for Oakland’s top minor league affiliate. Prior to joining the Athletics, he spent five seasons at Double-A with St. Louis (2005-07) and Miami (2003-04).

LaRosa has been recognized with several different accolades and awards, including the PBATS Minor League Trainer of the Year in 2007. He is a certified member of the National Athletics Trainer Association and the Illinois Athletics Trainer Association. LaRosa obtained both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in kinesiology from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.

A.J. Seeliger, conditioning coach

Nashville Sounds A.J. Seeliger, conditioning coachSeeliger enters his first season as Nashville’s strength and conditioning coach and his fourth season with the A’s organization. Seeliger served in the same role with Single-A Beloit (2013), Advanced-A Stockton (2015) and Double-A Midland (2015).

Seeliger obtained his bachelor’s degree from Washington State University and master’s degree from A.T. Still University.

2015 pitching coach Don Schulze was reassigned to Single-A Beloit while 2015 hitting coach Webster Garrison will serve as the A’s rookie-level Arizona League affiliate manager. He’ll be joined in Arizona by 2015 Sounds strength and conditioning coach Terence Brannic.

The 2016 season will be the Sounds’ 19th year in the Pacific Coast League and their second as the Oakland Athletics’ top affiliate. Season ticket memberships are available now by calling 615.690.4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com

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