Kick-Off the Season Camp Staff
Jeff Smith: Current Catching Coordinator in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. Was named Minor League Manager of the Year in 2021 and 2022. Former catching coach and 1b coach of the Minnesota Twins, ....Entering his 29th professional season......Oversaw the catchers in Spring training and season for the Minnesota Twins organization. Named Baseball America Manager of the year in Class A baseball for 2007 and 2008... Compiled a career .285 batting average over his playing career...Attended Stetson University.....A Naples High Graduate...3 time AA all-star. Attended 8 straight big league camps during spring training with the Twins, Red Sox, and Rangers.
Greg Brown: Currents staff member and the 2022 hitting coach of the Chicago Cubs. In 2021 was hitting coordinator for the Tampa Bay Rays. Previously was Head Coach at NOVA Southeastern University for 8 years. . After working as a scout the previous 3 years in the Houston Astros organization, Greg was named head coach for the 2010 season. Former Professional catcher and nationally renowned catching instructor. Nova Southeastern won the Division II World Series in 2016 where Greg was named Division II Coach of the year.
Sean Smedley: Current manager and catching coach in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. Won 2023 Championship at Charleston Low-A in the Rays organization. Former minor league player, attended Texas A&M. Very sought out catching instructor in the state of Florida.
Tyler Ross: Former Minor League Catcher and current catching instructor. Played for the San Francisco Giants Organization and played his college baseball at LSU.
Infielders and Outfielders
Dave Jauss: Current Special Advisor/Coach in the Washington Nationals Organization. Dave has spent over 35 years in professional baseball holding numerous roles including bench coach of the Mets/Pirates and 1st base coach of the Red Sox. Dave has also headed up many minor league systems and managed several Dominican Winter Ball Teams. One of the most respected men in the game and we are lucky to have him here in 2023.
Daniel Mercado: Coach at University of Tampa. Oversees infield instruction and helps with recruiting.
Steven Gomez: Coach at Santa Fe College. Works with all aspects of Outfield and hitting at the school. Is also a recruiter searching nationwide for players to bring in.
Carlos Alfonso: A legend in the professional baseball industry. Has held almost every position in baseball including MLB Pitching coach, 1b coach for the San Francisco Giants, minor league coordinator for the Houston Astros, and the international director of the Tampa Bay Rays. One of the best teachers in the game.
Ben Bizier: Former Head coach at Florida Southwestern College. Has been one of the more sought-after infield coaches in the United States. Was named 2021 Coach of the year in the Suncoast Conference. Had 4 players drafted in the top 11 rounds in 2021. Has turned the FSW program into a national powerhouse. We have been lucky to have him here as mainstay at our camp over the past 15 years. Has recruited and signed several players from the Naples area in the past few years.
Rayden Sierra: Current Hitting coach of the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, Minnesota Twins Organization. Played Collegiately at Cumberland College, and Professionally in 2019 before taking a coaching role at FSW.
Wuarner Rincones: OF/hitting coach of the Montgomery Biscuits of the Tampa Bay Rays Organization. Oversees outfield instruction and hitting plans in the organization.
Rudy Arias: Current Coach at Miami Dade College. Former Coach at the MLB level in the Baltimore Orioles Organization, and former Bullpen catcher in the Yankees and Marlins Organizations.
Hez Randolph: Current Hitting Coach, Outfield Coach, Tampa Bay Rays. Develops hitters at all levels for the Rays. Also works with the INF/OF’s.
Pitchers
Rick Knapp: Assistant MLB Pitching coach of the Tampa Bay Rays, ...Had been the pitching Coordinator of the Minnesota Twins organization for over 15 years, and Major league Pitching Coach of the Detroit Tigers...Helped developed several young pitchers into the MLB level... One of the most respected teachers of pitching in the United States. Has also been pitching coordinator of the Royals, and Dodgers. Players from all over the seek his instruction and fly in to work with him.
Mike Venafro: MLB Scout, San Diego Padres..Former pitcher in the major leagues for 7 years with the Rangers, Athletics, Rockies, Angels, and Dodgers. One of the more dominating pitchers vs lhh’s during his time.
Erik Lovdahl: Erik has spent almost 20 years working with the Minnesota Twins as their Youth Player Development Director and batting practice pitcher as well as field staff for rehab and Target Field events. Erik’s impressive career, includes serving as MYAS-Rising Stars Camp Director, a Pitching consultant locally and nationally.
Speed, Strength, and Prevention
Perry Castellano: Former Major League Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Minnesota Twins. Has been with Team USA Baseball in their developmental program for the past few years, and helped develop the programs of many former and current MLB players.
MORE COLLEGE AND PRO COACHES WILL BE ADDED!!!
Register EARLY, Space is Limited!!!!....And be ready to have fun!!
Register Early
Space is Limited. Remember the first 20 people get a prize!
Bring Your Shoes
Please bring tennis shoes or turf shoes
for hitting in the cages.
Questions?
Call Jeff Smith at
239-269-8742
