(Jacob Resnick/Mets Minors)

The St. Lucie Mets have officially announced their 2018 coaching staff.  As detailed below, the St. Lucie Mets have returned substantially the same coaching staff as the one who finished 63-75 last season.

Chad Kreuter returns for his second season as the Mets manager.  Previously, Kreuter was the manager of the USC Trojans where he compiled a 111-117 record. In 2011, after his five year stint with the Trojans, Kreuter served as the minor league field coordinator for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

On his return to the Mets, Kreuter said, “I am excited to be returning as the St. Lucie Mets manager, and I am looking forward to working with and helping develop the New York Mets fine young talent once again.”  (milb.com).

Marc Valdes will be returning for his third year as the St. Lucie pitching coach and his eighth consecutive year as a pitching coach in the Mets farm system.  Under his tutelage last year, Chris Flexen began a path that would led him to the Major Leagues, and Nabil Crismatt had a successful campaign in his first year as a full-time starter.

As previously speculated, hitting coach Joel Fuentes returns to the St. Lucie coaching staff.  This will now be his third stint as the team’s hitting coach with serving in that role from 2010-2011 and 2014-2015.  Last year, prospect Michael Paez made significant strides working with Fuentes with him leading the South Atlantic League in doubles at the All Star Break.  Additionally, top prospect Andres Gimenez would have a successful stateside debut.

Rounding out the coaching staff will be athletic trainer Matt Hunter (fifth season), strength and conditioning coach Alex Tavarez (second season), and mental skills coach Sabrina Gomez (second season).