(Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays continued to revamp their coaching staff, announcing Tuesday that former farmhand and Minor League hitting coordinator, Matt Quatraro, has been named as the new third-base coach. Quatraro had been Cleveland’s assistant hitting coach the past four seasons.

Quatraro will also work with the catchers, and assist Kyle Snyder in game-planning with the battery.

A part of the first ever draft class by the Devil Rays, Quatraro climbed his way through the Rays system, ultimately reaching Triple-A following the 2003 season. He, however, was never promoted to the big leagues.

He spent the next four seasons as a minor league manager with the Class-A Bowling Green Hot Rods (2009), Class-A Columbus Catfish (2008) and the Short-A Hudson Valley Renegades (2006-07). Quatraro’s coaching career began halfway through the 2004 season, as a catching instructor and coach with Hudson Valley. Prior to joining Cleveland’s coaching staff in 2014, he became a minor league hitting coordinator for Tampa Bay from 2010-13.

Quatraro served as Cleveland’s assistant hitting coach, where he reconnected with Kevin Cash on Terry Francona’s coaching staff. Cash was complementary of Quatraro in a morning presser:

Q brings tremendous knowledge in many areas and has been a big part of some very good teams, Cash said of the Rays new Third Base coach. He’s creative, a good communicator, and earns the respect and trust of his players. We’re excited to bring him back to the Rays.


(Audio Courtesy of Rays Radio)

The team also announced that Rocco Baldelli will be reassigned from his position as the first base coach, though he will continue as an on-field coach working with the outfielders on defensive positioning, as well as other unspecified additional roles.

The final hire to the staff, the first base coach, will be announced after the World Series — the team is currently interviewing for that position. Whomever that may be, he will also be the assistant hitting coach to Chad Mottola, and will work with players on base running.

Previous changes to the coaching staff include the mutual departure of longtime pitching coach Jim Hickey — with Kyle Snyder taking over the reigns — and Tom Foley choosing not to return as the Rays bench coach. Former Triple-A Durham manager, and Tampa Bay third-base coach, Charlie Montoya took over that role.

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