LINCOLN — The Saltdogs named Tom Carcione (“car-see-OWN”), a 10-year professional player and 15-year coaching veteran, as their new hitting coach.
Carcione played 10 seasons as a catcher and corner infielder after being selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 10th round of the 1988 MLB draft out of Texas A&M, reaching as high as Double-A.
After wrapping his playing career with the Sioux City Explorers in 1998, Carcione was hired as an assistant coach for the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in 1999 and has been coaching ever since.
“We are very excited to bring Tom to the ball club,” Saltdogs President/GM Charlie Meyer said. “His extensive playing and coaching experience will be a huge asset for us.”
The 49-year old from Chicago most recently served as Director of Baseball Operations at Northern Illinois University in 2015, and had been an assistant coach at NIU for three seasons prior.
Carcione spent two seasons as pitching coach for Sioux City in 2006-07 and handled managerial duties for the Ottawa Rapidz (Can-Am League) in 2009.
Carcione’s hiring rounds out new Saltdogs manager Bobby Brown’s coaching staff. He joins pitching coach Jim Haller, who was introduced in January.
‘DOGS SIGN FORMER RELIEVER OF YEAR MINCEY
The Saltdogs also signed RHP Patrick Mincey, who has averaged more than one strikeout per inning over the first four years of his career.
Mincey earned American Association Reliever of the Year honors in 2013 for Grand Prairie, after going 5-1 with a 1.01 ERA and 24 saves.
The 26-year old from Hartsville, S.C. served as closer for Bridgeport (Atlantic League) in 2015, where he posted a 3.94 with 26 saves.
The Saltdogs open up their 2016 season on May 19 at Wichita. Stay up to date with the club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @saltdogsball and at www.saltdogs.com.