The Rangers announced five members of their 2019 coaching staff Wednesday, including the hiring of Dodgers assistant hitting coach Luis Ortiz as their new hitting coach. In addition, Texas announced that bench coach Don Wakamatsu and third base coach Tony Beasley are returning to the staff in those roles next season. Bullpen coach Hector Ortiz will move to the role of first base coach, while 2018 first base coach Steve Buechele has been named a special assistant in the baseball operations department. Jayce Tingler, meanwhile, will return for a second stint with the coaching staff as the player development field coordinator.
Luis Ortiz, 48, served on the Dodgers’ coaching staff under newly hired manager Chris Woodward this past season. The new role with the Rangers represents a homecoming of sorts. While he’s not a native of Texas — Ortiz was born in the Dominican Republic — he began his coaching career in the Rangers system and spent the 2008-12 seasons as a hitting instructor/coordinator for the organization. Since that time, he’s been a field coordinator and hitting coordinator with the Padres and spent another two seasons as an assistant field coordinator in the Indians organization.
Tingler previously served as an outfield/baserunning coach in 2015-16 before spending the 2017-18 seasons as an assistant GM in the front office. He was a popular managerial candidate this offseason and connected to multiple vacancies, though he clearly remained with the Rangers organization. He has eight years of minor league managerial experience under his belt — all in the Rangers system.
The remaining decisions for the Rangers all center on the pitching side of the equation. With Hector Ortiz moving to first base coach, they’ll need to add a new bullpen coach. Texas also formally announced what was reported earlier this week by MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan — that pitching coach Doug Brocail will not have his contract renewed. Beyond that, the Rangers also announced that assistant pitching coach Dan Warthen will not be asked back for the 2019 season, either. Those decisions “will be announced in the near future,” per tonight’s release.
Assuming Beltre retires, I sure hope he remains part of the Rangers organization in some capacity.
Totally agree, talk about a great role model for our younger talent
Anyone have any thoughts on who the Rangers may be looking at for the open positions? (More specifically pitching coach)
Kranitz is now available ….
I’ve heard rumors of Dodgers bullpen coach Mark Prior, who worked with Woodward in LA.
Please take him.
Only in the comments section on the internet can one have a visceral reaction to a bullpen coach.
Johhos may have it right! Kranny will land somewhere quickly. A strong candidate, indeed!
Am I the only one that thinks Ortiz’s face looks exactly like Pete Davidson
More sloppy aggregation from trade rumors.
Tingler isn’t part of the ML “coaching staff”. As field coordinator he will be part of the minor league leadership group.
It does sound like he would be a positive addition to a ML coaching staff but at this point is probably holding out for a manager position.
Congratulations Luis! Fantastic hire for the Rangers! UU Bulldogs
Welcome all new coaches to Ranger Baseball and wish you GOOD LUCK, you will need it.
With current GM looking for winning season [.501] by 2025.