Former Major League veteran Phil Nevin, recently named the Reno Aces manager for the 2014 season, will be joined by a staff of returners, the Arizona Diamondbacks announced last week.
The Aces’ coaching staff will be rounded out by Mike Parrott, entering his 13th overall season as the Arizona’s Triple-A pitching coach, and hitting coach Greg Gross, who served in the same capacity for the Aces last season. Athletic Trainer Joe Metz and Strength and Conditioning coach Mike Schofield will also return to Reno for their third and second seasons with the club, respectively.
Nevin, who was introduced to fans at a special meet-and-greet held at Aces Ballpark last month, spent the last three seasons as manager the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens of the International League. He guided Toledo to an overall 188-244 record in that span, and is 291-359 overall in his five-year managerial career.
A former College Player of the Year and Golden Spikes Award winner, Nevin was the first overall pick in the 1992 draft by the Houston Astros. The 2014 season marks Nevin’s first in the Arizona organization.
Parrott was a first-round selection of the Baltimore Orioles in 1973 and went to spend five seasons in the big leagues. In 1979, Parrott ranked 10th in the American League with 13 complete games on his way to being named the Seattle Mariners Pitcher of the Year. The 2014 season will be Parrot’s 18th with the D-backs organization and 13th-straight as Arizona’s Triple-A pitching coach.
Gross was a fourth-round selection of the Houston Astros in 1970 and went on to spend 17 seasons in the big leagues. A career .287 hitter, he also spent time in the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies organizations. Gross, who has over 19 years of professional coaching experience, served as hitting coach for the Philadelphia Phillies from 2001-04 and 2010-12.
Metz returns to Reno for his third-straight Triple-A assignment. Prior to joining the Aces in 2012, Metz climbed the ladder from Rookie League team Missoula (Mont.) to Double-A Mobile (Ala.) in the D-backs’ organization. During the 2010 offseason, he worked as the athletic trainer for the San Juan Senadores of the Puerto Rico Winter League.
Schofield made his Triple-A debut as the fourth strength and conditioning coach in Aces franchise history last season. Prior to his assignment in Reno, Schofield worked in the D-backs organization with Rookie-Missoula and Single-A South Bend.
For up-to-date news and notes throughout the offseason, visit www.RenoAces.com, follow the club on Twitter (@aces) or like the team on Facebook. Ticket packages for the 2014 season are on-sale now at RenoAces.com or by calling (775) 334-4700.