Bowling Green, KY – The Bowling Green Hot Rods, in conjunction with the Tampa Bay Rays, announced the club's 2022 coaching staff, with Jeff Smith returning as the manager of the Hot Rods.
Smith, who played 163 games over three seasons at Stetson from 1993-95, will be joined by newcomers Alberto Bastardo (pitching coach) and Paul Rozzelle (hitting coach) as well as returning assistant Skeeter Barnes. Jordan Brown returns as the club's Strength and Conditioning Coach, while Tsutomu Kamiya will be the club's Athletic Trainer.
Jeff Smith, 47, led the organization to the High-A East Championship and the organization's second title in three seasons. He managed the team to an 82-36 record while being named High-A East Manager of the Year in his first season with the Hot Rods.
Smith, whose son Cooper is a freshman member of the Stetson baseball team this year, previously led the Charlotte Stone Crabs -- the Rays former High-A affiliate in the in the Florida State League. That club posted the league's best record while earning Baseball America's title of Best Managerial Prospect in the FSL for the 2019 season. It was the second time in his career he won that award.
Before joining Tampa Bay organization, Smith spent two seasons as the Minnesota Twins first base coach and managed at three levels for the Twins, including four years for the AA New Britain Rock Cats. The Akron, Ohio native has a career managerial record of 950-842 (.530) over 13 years and owns a 732-421 (.635) record over five seasons at High-A.
Smith was originally drafted by the Twins in 1995 after an outstanding career at Stetson and played in the minors until 2002, finishing out his playing career with the Red Sox (2003) and Texas Rangers (2004) before starting his coaching career.
"We are excited to welcome Jeff back to Bowling Green and are excited to welcome some new faces to the team, as well as seeing some returning faces again. It is very special to see the pieces coming together as we prepare to defend our crown here at Bowling Green Ballpark." Eric C. Leach, Hot Rods Chief Operating Officer and General Manager, said.
Smith's Stetson career produced a .306 batting average with 94 RBI over three seasons.
