:format(webP)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/5IL7TTX62NCXDPKD276QSEP3IA.jpg "Michael Johns, expected to be named the Rays' first base coach, served as manager at Class A Charlotte from 2015-17.")
ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays are set to name a new first-base coach, with Michael Johns the expected choice.
Johns, 48, managed at five levels in the Rays minor-league system, leading Triple-A Durham this past season. He joined the Rays in 2008 from the high school coaching ranks, serving as a coach at short-season Class A Hudson Valley for two years.
He went on to manage for eight seasons, working his way from rookie-level Princeton (2010-12) to Hudson Valley (2013), Class A Bowling Green (2014) and Class A Charlotte (2015-17). Johns then spent five years as the minor-league field coordinator (2018-22) before returning to the dugout with Durham in 2023.
The first base job came open last month when the Rays parted ways with Chris Prieto. He had the job, which included outfield and baserunning responsibilities, for two seasons.
It was one of several changes to manager Kevin Cash’s staff, as assistant hitting coach Dan DeMent also was let go and likely will not replaced. Process and analytics coach Jonathan Erlichman is leaving the dugout for a front office position and also may not be replaced.
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