HUNTSVILLE, Ala — The Trash Pandas' second full season debuts in April with new faces joining the coaching staff.
The Rocket City Trash Pandas, together with the Los Angeles Angels, announced the on-field coaching staff for the 2022 season, which will be led by new Manager Andy Schatzley.
“I think the Trash Pandas are the best-run affiliate in baseball, and I am honored and beyond excited to get there and get started,” Schatzley said.
In addition to Schatzley, there will be other newcomers to the Trash Panda's coaching staff, such as Coach Dann Bilardello, Strength and Conditioning Coach Henry Aleck, and Atheltic Trainer Will Whitehead.
And returning for their second season with the Trash Pandas will be Hitting Coach Kenny Hook and Pitching Coach Michael Wuertz.
“Kenny, Michael, and I have worked in spring training and instructional leagues together and I love them,” Schatzley said. “And then when you throw Dann into that mix, that makes it even better for us as a group.”
Although Schatzley may be a newcomer to the Trash Pandas organization, he is no stranger to the team's major league affiliate, the Los Angeles Angels, as this will be his third season working with them after guiding High-A-Tri-City in 2021.
Schatzley has had a coaching relationship with many Trash Pandas standouts from his previous role with the Dust Devils, including infielder Brendon Davis, closer Kolton Ingram, and starters Cristopher Molina, Ryan Smith, and Davis Daniel.
Hitting Coach Kenny Hook is back in 2022 after orchestrating a powerful Rocket City offense in 2021 that launched a Double-A South best 152 home runs, with six players reaching double digits.
Pitching Coach Michael Wuertz also returns to Rocket City in 2022 after leading a pitching staff that finished second in Double-A South with 1,112 strikeouts in 2021. Under the direction of Wuertz, 10 former Trash Pandas pitchers climbed the ladder and made their MLB debut for the Angels last season.
Coach Dann Bilardello brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to his first season in the Angels organization, and Strength and Conditioning Coach Henry Aleck is also making the jump from Tri-City to the Rocket City with Schatzley.
Athletic Trainer Will Whitehead heads to the Trash Pandas after spending 2021 with High-A Tri-City in his first season in the Angels organization.
Rounding out the Trash Pandas coaching staff will be Game Planning Strategist Ryan Santos and Video Assistant Andrew Hansford.
It is important to note, that the 2022 Trash Pandas season will not be impacted by the current MLB lockout.
The season begins on Friday, April 8 at Birmingham before the home opener at Toyota Field on Tuesday, April 12 against Pensacola. Single-game tickets go on-sale on Saturday, February 26.
For more information on the new and exciting additions to the 2022 Trash Panda's coaching staff, click here.