Photo Credit: WNBF News/Roger Neel Photo
The Binghamton Rumble Ponies announced their coaching staff for the 2018 season with many familiar faces including the manager Luis Rojas returning for his second season with the team.
Rumble Ponies made the playoffs in Rojas first season at the helm for them after going 85-54 that was driven by great pitching and a strong defensive squad.
Rojas, 35, began his time in the Mets farm system as a coach from 2007-2010. Afterwards he spent time as a manager for the Gulf Coast League Mets in 2011 and the Savannah Sand Gnats from 2012-2014. In 2013 he brought the Sand Gnats to a South Atlantic League Championship.
The new-and-old pitching coach will be Frank Viola. The former major league pitcher enters his seventh season coaching in the Mets organization. He joins the Rumble Ponies after spending the previous four seasons as pitching coach for the Las Vegas 51s. Viola also coached with the Savannah Sand Gnats and Brooklyn Cyclones.
Returning as the hitting coach for his second season of duty with Binghamton is Valentino Pascucci. The 39-year-old ended his major league playing days with the Mets in 2011. He will be entering his fifth season as a coach in the Mets system.
The interesting part of the staff news is the return of Luis Rivera to Binghamton, but this time as the new position of bench coach. Rivera has spent the last three seasons as the manager for the Kingsport Mets of the Appalachian League. In 2014, he was the hitting coach for the Binghamton Mets that won the Eastern League championship.
Athletic trainer Bob Grimes and strength and conditioning coach Kory Wan will both be returning to the Binghamton staff.
