Columbus Clingstones announce 2025 coaching staff for first year at Synovus Park
The Columbus Clingstones announced Tuesday the coaching staff for the team’s inaugural season at Synovus Park.
The team has named Cody Gabella as the first manager of the Clingstones, according to a news release.
As the new leader of the Atlanta Braves’ Double-A affiliate, this will be Gabella’s fourth season in the Atlanta Braves’ system, according to the release. Gabella guided the Rome Emperors to a South Atlantic League South Division first-half title last season, the news release says. The Emperors are a Braves affiliate in High-A Minor League Baseball.
Gabella played two seasons for the San Diego Padres after being drafted as an infielder in 2011, according to the release.
The release also announced support coaching staff:
Pitching coach: Mike Steed
Steed spent the last two seasons with Gabella in Rome in 2024 and Augusta in 2023, according to the release. Steed previously coached for the Ontario Blue Jays and Thunder Bay Border Cats in the Northwoods League before joining the Braves organization, the release says.
Hitting coach: Grant Kay
Kay was drafted as an infielder by the Tampa Bay Rays and played six seasons in the Rays system from 2014-2019, according to the release. Kay played in foreign/independent leagues until 2023, the release says.
Athletic trainer: Jesus Aviles
Aviles spent the 2024 season with the Mississippi Double-A team after seasons with Rome, Augusta and DSL Braves, according to the release. He received his master’s degree in athletic training from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania in 2015, the release says.
Strength and conditioning coach: Kyle Hegedus
Hegedus has three years of strength and conditioning coaching in the Braves system, according to the release. He is a former Youngstown State football player and was previously with the Liberty Flames before joining the Braves in 2022, the release says.
Coach: Francisco Diaz
Diaz began his professional career in 2007 and was with the Pirates and Yankees systems until 2019, according to the release. Diaz is transitioning from coaching for the Mississippi Braves to the Clingstones, the release says. He spent time with the Augusta Greenjackets in 2023 after coaching two seasons in the Miami Marlins system, according to the release.
A $50 million construction project is on schedule to renovate Synovus Park, the city’s baseball stadium previously named Golden Park, in time for the Clingstones’ 2025 home opener April 15.
Diamond Baseball Holdings, which owns and operates 34 minor league baseball teams, including all the Braves affiliates, is moving their Double-A Braves team from Mississippi to Columbus.
This story was originally published February 11, 2025 at 3:04 PM.