ROCHESTER RED WINGS FIELD STAFF
Red Wings Manager Tom Nieto
The 49-year-old Nieto was the manager for Double-A New Britain in 2009.
Nieto will enter his 10th year as a minor league manager, his second in the Twins organization and his first season in Triple-A. The 2010 season will mark his 19th year as a Major League coach, or minor league manager/instructor. Nieto, a catcher, put together a seven-year Major League career (1984-1990), including two seasons with the Twins (1987 & 1988). A 3rd round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1981, Nieto spent time with the St. Louis Cardinals (1984 & 1985), Montreal Expos (1986), Minnesota Twins (1987 & 1988) and Philadelphia Phillies (1989 & 1990), batting .205 with five home runs and 69 RBI in 251 Major League games.
Click here for coverage of the Oct. 29 press conference introducing Tom as Wings manager.
Pitching Coach - Bobby Cuellar
Named 13th manager in New Britain franchise history on October 23, 2007, replacing Riccardo Ingram...Spent nine years in major leagues as coach, including 2006-07 as the bullpen coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates...Worked in Twins' organization as pitching coach at Rochester from 2002-2005...
Was pitching coach for Montreal Expos when Pedro Martinez won Cy Young Award in 1997 and pitching coach for Seattle Mariners when Randy Johnson won Cy Young Award and club won the American League West Division Title in 1995...Also worked closely with 2004 Cy-Young Award winner Johan Santana as minor league pitching coach...
Prior to working in the Twins' system, Cuellar served as the bullpen coach for Texas Rangers in 2001...Manager in Mariners' system at Class-A Wausau in Midwest League in 1986 and 1987...
Originally selected by Texas Rangers in 29th round in 1974 draft as right-handed pitcher from the University of Texas...Made professional debut with Sarasota in 1974...His brief stint in majors came with Rangers in 1977, he went 0-0 with a 1.79 ERA in four relief outings. He also spent three seasons pitching in the Cleveland system (1979-1981) and one year pitching in the Mexican League where he ranked 6th in saves. During his nine year minor league career, Cuellar went 59-48 with 80 saves and a 3.32 ERA. He led the Carolina League with 17 saves with Lynchburg in 1975 and ranked second among Texas League relievers in saves (15) while hurling for San Antonio in 1976.
Wife Nora...daughters Tiffany and Emma and son Bobby.
Hitting Coach - Floyd Rayford
Floyd Rayford, 52, will begin his first season as the Red Wings hitting coach and his 11th year in the Minnesota Twins organization. Rayford, a long time Rochester fan favorite known as "Sugar Bear", played for Rochester from 1980-1984, 1986 & 1987.
Trainer - Tony Leo
Begins 13th season with the Twins organization and his fifth as the trainer for Triple-A Rochester...served as trainer at Double-A New Britain from 2002-04, Single-A Quad Cities from 2000-01 and Rookie Level Elizabethton in 1998 and 1999...was an intern trainer with Rookie Level GCL Twins in 1997...1996 graduate of Bowling Green State University with a degree in Sports Management with an Athletic Training emphasis.