Padres Announce 2019 TinCaps Coaching Staff
FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- The San Diego Padres today announced the coaching staffs for their minor league affiliates for the 2019 season, and for the first time in Fort Wayne's 27-year franchise history, the TinCaps will return their entire coaching staff from one season to the next.
FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- The San Diego Padres today announced the coaching staffs for their minor league affiliates for the 2019 season, and for the first time in Fort Wayne's 27-year franchise history, the TinCaps will return their entire coaching staff from one season to the next.
Anthony Contreras, 35, is set to manage the TinCaps for a fourth consecutive year. After guiding the 'Caps to the 2017 Midwest League Championship Series, he now will become the franchise's first manager to lead the team for more than three seasons.
Burt Hooton, who will be 69 years young by opening night, comes back for his seventh campaign as the team's pitching coach. The former Major League All-Star and World Series champion is the only Fort Wayne coach to serve more than four seasons with the club.
Jonathan Mathews, the Iowa native who will be 47 come April, is on board for his second year as the team's hitting coach.
Jhonny Carvajal, 45, is also returning for his third go-around as fielding coach.
Meanwhile, Allyse Kramer enters her third season as the team's athletic trainer and Sam Hoffman rejoins the crew for his second stint as strength coach.
"Our organization is thrilled to welcome everyone back," TinCaps President Mike Nutter said. "It's great for us to know that not only will we have a group capable of developing future major league players, but also one that appreciates Fort Wayne and is committed to giving back to the fans in our community."
In 2018, the TinCaps featured a historically young team for the Midwest League and, despite a multitude of significant injuries, came within a game of reaching the playoffs for what would have been the ninth time in 10 years. The team produced four Midwest League All-Stars (C Luis Campusano , LHP Nick Margevicius , LHP Aaron Leasher , and LHP Travis Radke ) as well as the MWL's Left-Handed Pitcher of the Year (Osvaldo Hernandez ) and Lefty Reliever of the Year (Radke). Fort Wayne's fluid roster of 55 players over the course of the season included 18 players who were still teenagers during the season. (The average age for a Midwest League player is 21.) Hooton's pitching staff boasted the best strikeout to walk ratio in the league and also had the lowest walk rate.
"I'm extremely excited to be back in Fort Wayne to lead another talented group of young men," Contreras said. "I'm very fortunate to be back with my whole staff from last season and to work alongside Mike Nutter and his first-class staff at Parkview Field."
The Padres, who have been affiliated with Fort Wayne since the 1999 season, will reveal the TinCaps' 2019 roster at the conclusion of Spring Training in late March. Baseball America, MLB.com, and others regard San Diego's farm system as the best in the sport.
"We're excited to announce our 2019 TinCaps coaching staff led by Anthony Contreras," said Sam Geaney, Director of Player Development for the Padres. "AC returns his coaching staff and we look forward to sending another talented group of young players to Parkview Field."
Up-and-coming top Padres prospects who potentially could appear with the TinCaps in 2019 include first-round draft pick Ryan Weathers, a 19-year-old left-handed starting pitcher, and 19-year-old shortstop Xavier Edwards, another top 40 selection from last year's draft.
The TinCaps open their 2019 season on Thursday, April 4 (7:05 pm) at Parkview Field against the Lansing Lugnuts (Toronto Blue Jays affiliate). Season tickets and group outings are currently available for purchase. Tickets to individual games will go on sale in mid-February. Click here for more information on tickets.
2019 Fort Wayne TinCaps Coaching Staff
Manager: Anthony Contreras
Pitching Coach: Burt Hooton
Hitting Coach: Jonathan Mathews
Fielding Coach: Jhonny Carvajal
Athletic Trainer: Allyse Kramer
Strength Coach: Sam Hoffman
More Notes on the 2019 TinCaps Coaching Staff
- Contreras: The only former Fort Wayne player to return to the team as manager… Played for the Fort Wayne Wizards in 2008… An infielder, drafted by the San Francisco Giants out of San José State in 2005 (9th round)… Played in San Francisco's organization from 2005-2007 and then in the San Diego Padres' organization from 2008-13, reaching as high as Triple-A… Began coaching career in 2014 and became manager of the Rookie-Level Arizona League Padres… Managed the Short-Season A Tri-City Dust Devils to the Northwest League Finals in 2015… Through his first four seasons as a skipper, has had 10 former players reach the major leagues
- Hooton: This will be his 44th year in professional baseball… Second overall pick of the 1971 Draft out of the University of Texas at Austin… Selected by the Chicago Cubs… Pitched for the Cubs (1971-75), Los Angeles Dodgers (1975-84), and Texas Rangers (1985)… National League All-Star, MVP of the National League Championship Series, and World Series champion in 1981… Threw a no-hitter for the Cubs against the Philadelphia Phillies in his fourth career start on April 16, 1972… Known for his knuckle curve pitch… After finishing playing career, completed degree at Texas, then began coaching career in 1988… Has coached at every level from Short-Season A through the big leagues… Pitching coach for the Houston Astros from 2000-04… Past pupils include Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens, and Billy Wagner… Has been in uniform for more than 6,400 games across his career in MLB, MiLB, and NCAA
- Mathews: On San Diego's big league staff in 2017… Previously a coach in the Arizona Diamondbacks' farm system. For the D-Backs, served as a hitting coach for the Midwest League's Kane County Cougars in 2016 and South Bend in '14… In between stints in the Midwest League, was the Diamondbacks' Advanced-A hitting coach with the Visalia Rawhide in 2015… Served as a coach for the Baltimore Orioles' Class A Delmarva Shorebirds in 2013… Spent 14 years as an assistant coach at Indian Hills Junior College in Ottumwa, Iowa (1999-2012), where he also taught economics… In Minnesota Twins organization, was manager for Rookie-level Elizabethton Twins from 1998-99 and hitting coach for Advanced-A Fort Myers in 1997 on a team that included David Ortiz, A.J. Pierzynski, and Jacque Jones… Part-time coach at the University of Iowa from 1995-96… Earned a master's in athletic administration at Iowa in 2000…. Was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 42nd round of the 1994 MLB Draft…. Played for Colorado's Arizona League affiliate and Short-Season A affiliate in '94… Father (Rick) is a longtime scout/coach with the Rockies
- Carvajal: Infield Coach for the Dominican Summer League Padres in 2016… Native of Venezuela… Played primarily second base, third base, and shortstop in Minor League Baseball from 1993-2003, reaching as high as Triple-A… Played for the Cincinnati Reds, Montreal Expos, Arizona Diamondbacks, and San Francisco Giants' organizations… Also played professionally in Italy as recently as 2011
- Kramer: First female athletic trainer in franchise history… Spent 2016 with San Diego's Short-Season A affiliate, the Tri-City Dust Devils... California native… Earned bachelor's degree from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego… Earned a master's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and worked on the Longhorns' sports medicine staff
- Hoffman: Strength coach for the Padres' Short-Season A affiliate, the Tri-City Dust Devils, in 2017… Wisconsin native… Previously worked in the Milwaukee Brewers' organization from 2015-16… Earned a bachelor's degree from Marquette and a master's in exercise physiology at Northern Michigan University
2025 COACHING STAFF: Announced by Padres
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The San Diego Padres have announced the coaching staff for the 2025 Fort Wayne TinCaps season. Lukas Ray will manage the High-A ’Caps after leading San Diego’s Single-A affiliate, the Lake Elsinore Storm, to the California League Championship Series last year. Ray will be joined by
2025 TICKETS: On Sale Now
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Tickets for the 2025 Fort Wayne TinCaps season are set to go on sale Tuesdayevening (November 19). Beginning at 6 p.m., fans who purchase a ticket in person for a 2025 TinCaps game will be granted free admission to Parkview Field’s Holiday Lights Tuesday night. Tickets
HOLIDAY LIGHTS: A Big Hit in Debut Season
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – A new Fort Wayne holiday season tradition was born in 2024. In its debut over 48 nights from mid-November into early January, more than 97,000 guests visited Parkview Field’s Holiday Lights presented by Rohrman Automotive, Paul Davis, and the Lear Corporation. “We’ve been blessed to have
HELP WANTED: Apply to Work - 2025 Season
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – A new season of Fort Wayne TinCaps baseball at Parkview Field begins April 4, so as Opening Day approaches, the team is hiring hundreds of part-time, seasonal employees. CLICK HERE TO APPLY Available positions range from working concessions to ballpark sanitation, The Orchard Team Store, and
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Mike Nutter
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – TinCaps President Mike Nutter has been honored by The Journal Gazette as the area’s 2024 Citizen of the Year. “Nutter’s people-first focus on leadership and giving, his personal and professional commitment to community service and his expertise in customer service have made him a sought-after volunteer
MiLB AWARDS: Clubhouse Manager & Groundskeeper of the Year
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Fort Wayne TinCaps head groundskeeper Keith Winter and home clubhouse manager Sam Lewis have been honored by Minor League Baseball. Winter is the 2024 Midwest League Head Groundskeeper of the Year, while Lewis is the 2024 Midwest League Home Clubhouse Manager of the Year. The winners
MAJOR AWRD: MiLB's CommUNITY Champion
The Fort Wayne TinCaps have won another major Minor League Baseball award. At Minor League Baseball’s Business Summit in Charlotte on Tuesday, MiLB announced that the TinCaps earned the 2024 CommUNITY Champion Award. Team President Mike Nutter and other staff members were in attendance to accept the honor. This marks
260 TO THE SHOW: Alumni in MLB
A total of 53 former TinCaps players appeared in Major League Baseball during the 2024 season, including six all-stars. Now, more than a dozen alumni are on postseason rosters vying for a World Series championship. Since Fort Wayne’s Minor League Baseball franchise was established in 1993, there’ve been 228 players
15 FOR 15: Top Moments in Parkview Field History
In celebration of Parkview Field’s 15th anniversary season in 2024, the TinCaps are unveiling a list of top moments at the ballpark since 2009. “Through a decade and a half, we’ve had so many indelible moments at Parkview Field, both from a baseball standpoint and special events,” said TinCaps President
DONATION: Teaming with Indiana Pork to Support Community Harvest
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Fresh off earning Minor League Baseball’s prestigious CommUNITY Champion Award, the Fort Wayne TinCaps are teaming up with Indiana Pork to donate more than 2,200 meals of ground pork to the Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana. This comes after the team sold 2,294 tenderloin
JERSEY AUCTION: Supporting the ALS Association
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Fort Wayne TinCaps (Minor League Baseball’s High-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres) will be donating to the ALS Association in memory of Kathy Winter, the late wife of the team’s longtime head groundskeeper Keith Winter. The TinCaps will auction off their game-worn, special-edition 15th
TinCaps shine a light on mental health issues
Back in 2022, the High-A Fort Wayne TinCaps front office posted a sign on the clubhouse wall. It featured a simple, but unusual request: Would any players want to speak publicly about mental health? The front office was not obligating anyone to do anything, and couldn’t predict what kind of
Get to know Padres player development's Allison Luneborg
PEORIA, ARIZ – Prospects like Ethan Salas and Jackson Merrill are a large part of why the Padres have the No. 4 farm system in baseball. But there are many folks behind the scenes who also help make the organization shine. One of them is Allison Luneborg. The Ohio native
Salas, Snelling highlight Padres' Organization All-Stars
Each offseason, MiLB.com goes position by position across each organization and honors the players -- regardless of age or prospect status -- who had the best seasons in each farm system. Next up in our 2023 Organization All-Stars series are the San Diego Padres. 2023 organization summary: Triple-A El Paso:
The Road to The Show™: Padres’ Snelling
Each week, MiLB.com profiles an elite prospect by chronicling the steps he's taken toward achieving his Major League dream. Here's a look at Padres fourth-ranked prospect Robby Snelling. For more stories about players on The Road to The Show, click here. With multiple options in front of him coming out
Casual Friday: Kate Flannery's MiLB-filled weekend
In the fictional world of the hit NBC sitcom “The Office,” Meredith Palmer is prone to mishaps, can be snarky and is known to enjoy a beverage or two. But Kate Flannery, the actress who portrayed the Dunder Mifflin employee for nine seasons, is nothing like her character. Just ask
The best of the Padres' Minor League ballparks
The Minor League Ballpark Guides series presented by Wyndham brings all the most fun features of Minors ballparks across America (and one in Canada!) onto your desktop, tablet or mobile device, whether you're interested in taking a virtual tour from where you sit or planning a trip to catch some
Wanna have a catch? MiLB celebrates Father's Day
"Hey, Dad, you wanna have a catch?" The timeless quote from "Field of Dreams" film resonates much deeper on a certain Sunday in June. Several teams around Minor League Baseball paid tribute to that moment by bringing out fans and their fathers to have a catch (or play catch, however
TinCaps, city of Fort Wayne honor AAGPBL club
On a warm June night in northeast Indiana, Fort Wayne's Parkview Field was full of daisies. The Daisies of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, to be exact. The High-A TinCaps honored the city's AAGPBL team on Saturday, wearing replica jerseys and unveiling a monument dedicated to the club that
Merrill leads way in new-look Padres system
Each offseason, MiLB.com goes position by position across each organization and honors the players -- regardless of age or prospect status -- who had the best seasons in each farm system. Next up in our 2022 Organization All-Stars series are the San Diego Padres.
And now, our ballpark feature presentation
What makes a Minor League ballpark unique? The food? The fans? The view? The answer to that query is, of course, all of the above. But perhaps above all, what makes a Minor League park unique are its stand-alone features, those architectural quirks, creative constructions and down-the-line additions that simply
Announcing... MWL Madness
LANSING, Mich. - The 16 ballclubs in the Class-A Midwest League today announced MWL Madness pitting the all-time greatest players from each franchise against one another in a celebration of the league’s history. “It is disappointing our Midwest League season will not start this week but certainly understandable,” said Midwest
TinCaps to Host Job Fair at Parkview Field
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The Fort Wayne TinCaps are hosting a Job Fair at Parkview Field on Wednesday, March 11 (5-7 p.m.) and Thursday, March 12 (5-7 p.m.) in search of seasonal employees for the 2020 baseball season. Each year the TinCaps hire approximately 600 part-time workers to serve in