The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino, in conjunction with its parent-club, the Los Angeles Angels, announced the 2018 Sixers’ Field Staff on Thursday. The 66ers will have a mix of familiar and new faces in the dugout of San Manuel Stadium on Opening Night April 5th. Ryan Barba will take over as Field Manager of the 66ers in their eighth season with the Angels’ Advanced-A Affiliate in the California League.
2018 will mark Barba’s first opportunity to manage a club at the professional level after spending the last five seasons moving up in the Angels’ organization as a hitting coach. He served in that capacity at every stateside level in the Angels chain from rookie ball through double-A (Mobile, 2017). The Chatsworth, CA native is returning to the 66ers after being on Chad Tracy’s staff in 2016. Tracy, who managed the Sixers in 2016 and 2017 has been promoted to Angel’s Minor League Field Coordinator. Barba, 33, began his coaching career in 2011 at the University of New Mexico, his alma mater. His minor league playing career began in 2006 as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers organization and finished in 2010 as a member of the Atlanta chain.
Barba’s staff will consist of Hitting Coach Brian Betancourth, Pitching Coach Chris Seddon, First Base Coach Steven Hernandez, Athletic Trainer Yusuke Takahashi and Strength and Conditioning Coach Adam Smith. Betancourth, a native of Moreno Valley, CA enters his second season with the 66ers. Hernandez, who was a longtime regional high school coach and remains an Angels scout, as well as Takahashi are both returners to San Manuel Stadium. Seddon enters his first season as Angels pitching coach. The Canyon HS product appeared in the majors with Florida, Seattle and Cleveland. He spent two seasons in the California League (’03 and ’04) with the now-defunct Bakersfield Blaze. Smith spent 2017 as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Low-A Burlington Bees.
“Once again the Angels have provided the fans of the Inland Empire a top-notch staff to lead the 66ers,” Inland Empire General Manager Joe Hudson said. “What we as a front office know in working with these gentlemen is that they are prepared, hard-working and generous with the time and knowledge. I’m sure that those traits will be reflected in the play of the team and their interactions with our great fans.”