Tourists 2016 Coaching Staff Announced

ASHEVILLE, NC--The Colorado Rockies announced that the entire Tourists field staff from 2015 will return to Asheville for another campaign. Manager Warren Schaeffer will be joined in the Tourists' dugout by Development Supervisor Marv Foley; Hitting Coach Mike Devereaux; and Pitching Coach Mark Brewer. Also returning to the Blue Ridge for his second season is Athletic Trainer Casey Papas.

Schaeffer compiled an impressive run in his inaugural season as a Manager. The Tourists skipper led the team to a 72-67 regular season record which earned a South Atlantic League playoff berth. In the post-season, Schaeffer guided Asheville through the divisional round with a series victory over Savannah. However, his attempt at a league championship was spoiled by Hickory. Prior to leading the Tourists last season, he spent the previous two years as a hitting coach in the Rockies' organization; both with the Tri-City Dust Devils. Schaeffer played in the Rockies minor league system from 2007-2012, including a 92-game stint with the Tourists in 2008. The Vandergrift, PA native was originally drafted by the Rockies in the 38th round of the 2007 MLB draft out of Virginia Tech University.

"We are delighted to welcome back Warren, his wife Callie, and their two children, Beauman and Emerson, to the Tourists family," said Tourists president Brian DeWine. "The entire staff left a positive impression in the community and with Tourists fans last year. I am excited to see them all returning to Asheville for 2016."

Foley began serving as Asheville's Development Supervisor in 2013 and is now entering his fourth season in that role. Foley will work hand-in-hand with the coaching staff as the Development Supervisor; a leadership role that is highly responsible for the oversight and implementation of the Colorado Rockies development philosophies and practices. 

The 2016 campaign will be Devereaux's fifth slate with the Tourists and sixth in the Rockies' organization. Prior to joining the Rockies he spent the previous two seasons in the Baltimore Orioles' farm system. The hitting coach played an integral part of two championship teams in Asheville and coached the 2014 Tourists to a .292 team batting average; the best team batting average in the history of the South Atlantic League. Devereaux played 12 seasons in the major leagues. He finished seventh in the Most Valuable Player balloting in 1992 for the Orioles. He also was named the MVP of the 1995 National League Championship Series. In the summer of 2014, the Casper, WY native was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame.

Brewer has over 20 years of professional experience as a pitching coach in major league organizations, and enters his third season in that capacity with Asheville. In Brewers first two seasons with the Tourists, they finished in the top half of the South Atlantic League in team ERA. Overall, he has been a pitching coach in the player development systems for the Dodgers, Rangers, Royals, Pirates, Mets, and Rockies. Brewer also has over 10 years of experience as a pitching coach in the Latin America Winter Leagues.

The Asheville Tourists open the 2016 season at McCormick Field on April 14 against the Rome Braves at 7:05pm. Season ticket packages are currently available at the McCormick Field ServPro Box Office. For more information, contact the Tourists' front office at (828) 258-0428.

 

Please direct any questions or interview requests to Doug Maurer at (828) 258-0428 ext. 203 or [email protected].

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