The Columbia Fireflies have announced that they have hired Reid Brignac to manage the team. Also, Jerome Williams (pitching coach) and Mariano Duncan (hitting coach) will join their coaching staff.

Andy Martino of SNY reported earlier on Wednesday that the Mets have also brought back former scouting director Chad MacDonald.

Brignac, 33, played nine years in the Major Leagues for the Rays, Rockies, Yankees, Phillies, Marlins, and Braves. The utility player hit .219/.264/.276, and he made two postseason appearances with the 2010 and 2011 Rays. He retired from professional baseball after playing the 2018 season with the New Britain Bees of the Atlantic League.

In 2016, Brignac and his wife founded the Turning Two Foundation. The charity was set up in the aftermath of the Louisiana flooding and is “Providing support and funding to people and animals in need and encouraging youth to work hard while maintaining a positive attitude.”

This will be Brignac’s first official professional coaching experience.

In addition to hiring Brignac, the Mets have brought MacDonald back to the organization. As reported by Martino, MacDonald was responsible for making Brandon Nimmo the Mets first round draft pick in 2011. Clint Robus of the Casper Star Tribune detailed the process of how the Mets not only drafted Nimmo, but also the negotiations which took place to sign him minutes before the deadline.

MacDonald’s first stint with the Mets lasted only one year. He would leave the Mets to become the San Diego Padres vice president/assistant general manager of player personnel. Three years later, he was hired as the Atlanta Braves special assistant to the general manager.

During his time with the Braves, the organization has acquired a wealth of impressive young talent including players like Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, and Mike Soroka.