Welcome to Appy Astros, a blog dedicated to following current & former Greeneville Astros, the Appalachian League affiliate of the Houston Astros. Here you will find reports on current G-Stros, updates on the development of former G-Stros and occasionally an update on what has happened to the guys who have hung up their spikes.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

2012 Coaching Staff Named + Updates on Past Coaches

The Astros released their assignment of the minor league staff for the 2012 season. Greeneville's staff is getting a great deal of attention thanks to the addition of former Astros all star Cesar Cedano as hitting coach.  Cedano is returning to the Appy league 43 years after he made his pro debut for the Covington Astros in 1968.  

Also returning to the Appy League is last year's manager Omar Lopez, the young man of the crew at 35 will begin his fourth year as a minor league manager for the Astros organization.  His teams have owonmore games each year but have yet to achieve a winning record.

The pitching coach this year will be another new face in Greeneville.  Hector Mercado never played in the Appy but played just about every where else in his 15 year pro career.  He was the pitching coach in the GCL last season, so he will be familiar with the players who move up from there.

In other coaching news, let's check on where the former G-Stros coaches have wound up:

2004 manager Tim Bogar is now the Red Sox bench coach under new manager Bobby Valentine.

Former manager Ivan DeJesus returns to the minors after a five year stint with the Cubs.  He will be the manager in Lexington.  He will be joined by two former G-Stros coaches Dave Borkowski and Josh Bonifay.

Former manager Rodney Linares continues his climb up the minor league ladder.  After three season in Greeneville and two in Lexington, he will be the manager in Lancaster this season.

Former hitting coach Stubby Clapp will be the manager in Tri Cities again.  He will be joined by former G-Stros pitching coach Rick Aponte. 

Ed Romero, another former manager, will be the manager for the GCL Astros again this year. 

Former hitting coach D J Boston has moved from Danville to the GCL Braves this year

Players Getting Into Coaching
There are also some former G-Stros who are involved in coaching.  Former pitcher Travis Smink has put his VMI degree to work and has been named the pitching coach at Carlisle High (Pa.).  

Another former pitcher who is teaching and coaching baseball is Jake Hurry who is an assistant at Flagler High (Fl.).

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