Corey Ragsdale

Corey Ragsdale
Texas Rangers – No. 64
Coach
Born: (1982-11-10) November 10, 1982 (age 42)
Jonesboro, Arkansas, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Teams
Career highlights and awards

William Corey Ragsdale (born November 10, 1982) is an American professional baseball former player and current coach. He is the first base coach and major league field coordinator for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Career

Ragsdale attended Nettleton High School in Jonesboro, Arkansas.[1] Ragsdale committed to the University of Arkansas but was drafted by the New York Mets in the 2nd round of the 2001 MLB draft and signed.[2] An infielder, Ragsdale played in the Mets organization from 2001 through 2007. Ragsdale joined Texas Rangers organization as a minor league free agent in 2008. He converted to pitching during the 2008 season and continued playing through the 2009 season.[2]

Ragsdale remained in the Texas organization as a coach and served as an infield instructor at their Arizona complex in 2010.[2] In 2011, he served as an infield coach for the Hickory Crawdads.[3] He served as the manager of the AZL Rangers in 2012, leading them to an Arizona League championship.[4] Ragsdale served as the manager for Hickory from the 2013 through 2015 seasons.[3][5] Ragsdale led the Crawdads to the South Atlantic League championship in 2015.[6] Ragsdale served as the minor league field coordinator for Texas from 2016 through 2019.[7] He served as manager of the Down East Wood Ducks in 2019.[8]

Ragsdale was promoted to the major league staff, as major league field coordinator, on November 11, 2019.[9][10] Ragsdale was named the Rangers first base coach on July 2, 2020.[11] Ragsdale was moved to third base coach on August 15, 2022, after manager Chris Woodward was fired and Tony Beasley was elevated to interim manager.[12] He returned to first base coach prior to the 2023 season.[13]

Awards

Ragsdale received the Rangers 2015 Bobby Jones Player Development Man of the Year award.[14] He was named the 2019 Carolina League Manager of the Year.[15] Ragsdale was named the 2019 Baseball America Minor League Manager of the Year.[16]

References

  1. ^ Chris Hudgison (November 11, 2019). "Nettleton alum Corey Ragsdale named to Texas Rangers coaching staff". KAIT. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c Mark Parker (April 21, 2014). "Ragsdale guides Crawdads by using what he learned in his own career". Hickory Daily Record. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Hickory Crawdads (January 3, 2013). "Texas Rangers announce 2013 Crawdads Field Staff". MiLB.com. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  4. ^ "Rangers announce 2013 Minor League coaching staffs". MLB.com. January 3, 2013. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  5. ^ Aaron Cox (December 4, 2014). "2015 'Dads Coaching Staff Announced". MiLB.com. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  6. ^ Gerrit Van Genderen (December 29, 2015). "Hickory Crawdads win South Atlantic League championship". Hickory Daily Record. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  7. ^ T.R. Sullivan (December 3, 2015). "Rangers' Minor League staffs take shape". MLB.com. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  8. ^ Down East Wood Ducks (January 8, 2019). "Rangers Announce 2019 Minor League Coaching Staff for Top Four Affiliates". MiLB.com. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  9. ^ Evan Grant (November 11, 2019). "Corey Ragsdale replaces new San Diego manager Jayce Tingler on Rangers coaching staff". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  10. ^ T.R. Sullivan (November 11, 2019). "Ragsdale replaces Tingler on coaching staff". MLB.com. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  11. ^ Evan Grant (July 2, 2020). "Corey Ragsdale to replace Hector Ortiz as Rangers' first base coach". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  12. ^ "Photos: Rangers close out a one-run game in Tony Beasley's debut as interim manager". The Dallas Morning News. August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  13. ^ Landry, Kennedi (November 23, 2022). "Rangers hire Mike Maddux as pitching coach". MLB.com. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  14. ^ Aaron Cox (January 6, 2016). "Jurado & Ragsdale Honored by Rangers". MiLB.com. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  15. ^ Staff Report (August 26, 2019). "Several Wood Ducks Reap MiLB Honors". Kinston Free Press. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  16. ^ "2019 Minor League Manager of the Year". Baseball America. December 5, 2019. Retrieved December 5, 2019.