The Tampa Bay Rays are turning the page on a challenging season with a wave of changes to their minor league staff - and it’s clear they’re not just tinkering around the edges. After a year that didn’t quite live up to expectations on the field and saw several key staffers depart for other organizations, the Rays are reloading their player development system with a mix of new hires, promotions, and strategic reshuffling.
Let’s start with the headline move: Reid Brignac is back in the Rays' system. The former big-league infielder spent the last five seasons managing in the Mets’ organization, and now he returns to Tampa Bay as a coach for Triple-A Durham. Brignac brings both familiarity with the Rays' culture and fresh perspective from his time elsewhere - a valuable combination for a team that prides itself on developing talent the smart way.
Joining Brignac among the new faces are several notable additions:
- Gil Kim, who served as an infield coordinator with the Blue Jays’ Class-A affiliate, will now oversee infield development across the Rays’ system.
- Keoni DeRenne, previously with the Royals, steps in as Durham’s new hitting coach.
- Tyler Higgins, who had been coaching pitchers in the Phillies’ Class-A ranks, takes over as the pitching coach in Class-A Charleston.
- Joe Hudson, coming from the Astros’ Triple-A team, becomes the Rays’ new player development coordinator.
There are also two managerial changes worth noting. Sean Smedley is moving from managing Charleston to take over the Florida Complex League (FCL) squad - a key role for working with the youngest players in the system. Meanwhile, Danny Mendick, a former big-league infielder who was coaching in the FCL, gets a promotion to manage the Charleston RiverDogs.
The top three affiliate managers remain unchanged, providing some continuity at the higher levels: Morgan Ensberg stays at Triple-A Durham, Kevin Boles at Double-A Montgomery, and Rafael Valenzuela at High-A Bowling Green.
But the real story here is how deep the Rays went in reshaping their developmental structure. More than a dozen internal moves suggest a clear effort to align the organization’s talent - not just on the field, but in the dugouts and clubhouses across the minor league ladder. Here’s a snapshot of some of the key changes:
- Jeff Smith, already serving as catching coordinator, will now also help guide manager development - a move that speaks to the Rays’ long-term vision for leadership growth.
- Zac Law, who had been the bullpen catcher at Durham, steps into a coaching role as FCL bench coach - a notable rise for a former minor leaguer who knows the grind firsthand.
- Ryan Pennell, the assistant pitching director, adds a hands-on role as Bowling Green’s pitching coach.
- A trio of hitting coaches are on the move: Braxton Martinez heads to Montgomery, Brett Schneider moves up to Bowling Green, and Paul Rozzelle shifts to Charleston.
- Hector Gimenez, who managed the FCL team last season, will now coach in Charleston.
- Omar Luna, previously the hitting coach in the Dominican Summer League, joins the FCL staff.
- Levi Romero, who had been Charleston’s pitching coach, also heads to the FCL.
While the Rays are bringing in fresh blood, they’ve also seen some talent head out the door - a testament to how respected their player development system has become around the league. Among those hired away:
- Blake Butera, formerly the senior director of player development, is now managing in the Nationals’ organization.
- Steven Souza Jr., who had been serving as a scout and hitting research advisor, is now the Padres’ hitting coach.
- Christian Wonders, a pitching coordinator, has taken a job as the Giants’ assistant pitching coach.
All in all, this is a significant shake-up - not just a response to a tough season, but a proactive recalibration. The Rays have long been known for their ability to get the most out of their talent pipeline, and moves like these suggest they’re doubling down on what they do best: developing players, building depth, and staying ahead of the curve.