With the 2012 Drive coaching staff set, the Red Sox have insured that their highly acclaimed player development system is set to continue its winning ways as many of the organization’s top prospects have the opportunity to play at Fluor Field at the West End.

Drive General Manager, Mike deMaine noted, “The Red Sox are among the best in the game at scouting, drafting and developing emerging major league talent. Current major leaguers Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester, Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, Jonathan Papelbon, and Kevin Youkilis are great examples of effectiveness of the Red Sox development system.” deMaine added, “We are looking forward to introducing Carlos and Darren to the Greenville community, while welcoming back Dick.”

The 35-year-old Febles takes over for Billy McMillon, who guided the Drive to 155 wins in two seasons as the club’s manager and will now serve in the same capacity for the Salem Red Sox. Febles comes to the Drive after making his managerial debut with the Red Sox’ short-season Class-A affiliate, the Lowell Spinners, a year ago.

Under Febles’ guidance, the Spinners batters led the 14-team New York-Penn League in Home Runs (55), while also ranking amongst the circuit’s top teams in Triples (T-6th, 18), Stolen Bases (7th, 82), and Slugging Percentage (4th, .374). The Lowell pitching staff allowed the 3rd fewest hits (584) in the league, and struck out the 5th most batters (546).

The 2012 season will be Febles’ sixth in the Red Sox organization, having previously served as the hitting coach for the Salem Red Sox (2009-10) and Lancaster JetHawks (2008), after making his professional coaching debut with Lowell in 2007. Febles’ led the JetHawks to California League-best marks in Batting (.285), Hits (1,423) and Home Runs (154) in 2008.

A former second baseman, Febles spent six seasons with the Kansas City Royals from 1998 to 2003, batting .250 with 24 home runs and 146 RBI. As a rookie in 1999, he set career-highs in homers (10), RBI (53), and stolen bases (20). The Dominican Republic native led all American League rookies with nine triples that season, while ranking in OBP (2nd, .336), walks (2nd, 47), stolen bases (T-2nd) and runs (3rd, 71). Febles played his final professional season in 2004 for the Red Sox organization with Pawtucket.

“We are excited about Greenville’s coaching staff in 2012 and believe they will have an excellent impact on our players there,” stated Red Sox Director of Player Development, Ben Crockett. “Carlos will lead the staff with great energy and positively that players related to, not to mention his accomplished career as a Major League player and coach.”

Crockett added, “Dick Such returns and will provide a wealth of experience, knowledge and stability to the pitching staff, and Darren Fenster has shown us he is very much up for the challenge of moving to the professional coaching ranks after having success as a minor league player and college coach.”

Fenster will not only be new to the Drive field staff, but the Boston Red Sox organization as well, after having served on staff of his alma mater, Rutgers University, as the Director of Baseball Operations and Assistant Coach since 2006. One of the top players in Scarlet Knights history, Fenster was a two-time All-American and the Big East Player of the Year in 2000. A former shortstop, Fenster is the program’s leader in several offensive categories including Career Hits (315), Single-Season Hits (101), and Double (65).

Drafted in the 12th round by Kansas City Royals following his All-American season in 2000, Fenster advanced to the Double-A level in the Royals system and was a Carolina League All-Star in both 2002 and 2004 as a member of the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Following a breakout season in 2004 where he hit a career-best .302 between Class-A Wilmington and Class-AA Wichita, Fenster was a non-roster invitee to the Royals major league Spring Training camp in 2005, where he suffered a career-ending ACL injury.

In just six years in the collegiate coaching ranks, Fenster has already seen 37 of his former players drafted or signed by Major League clubs.

The 66-year-old Such begins his fourth season in the Red Sox organization, and second in Greenville. Under Such’s guidance in 2011, Drive hurlers were amongst the best in the South Atlantic League in ERA (6th, 3.97), Shutouts (5th, 9), Strikeouts (3rd, 1131), and Walks (3rd, 364).

The Sanford, NC native worked as a pitching coach for the Minnesota Twins for 17 years from 1985-2001, helping the club to a pair of World Series Championships in 1987 and 1991, and for the Texas Rangers from 1983-85.

A right-handed pitcher, Such made his Major League debut in 1970, making 21 appearances for the Washington Senators who were managed by Ted Williams.

Drive President and Co-owner, Craig Brown, commented on the announcement, noting, “The continuing success of the Red Sox at both the Major League and Minor League levels says much about the quality of their player development and coaching staffs and the wisdom of their emphasis on the draft and player development as a key factor to their success”. Brown continued, “Carlos Febles, Dick Such, and Darren Fenster have proven track records of successfully working with young and talented players, and 2012 promises to be another great year of baseball at Fluor Field. We can’t wait to get started.”

The Drive’s 6th Annual Hot Stove Event is Monday, January 23rd at Huguenot Mill in Downtown Greenville from 5 PM to 7 PM. The event is free for fans to attend, with Red Sox Manager Bobby Valentine, Director of Player Development Ben Crockett, and Prospect Jackie Bradley, Jr. as the featured guests.

Ticket plans, group outings, and hospitality accommodations are currently on sale for the 2012 season. Call (864) 240-4500 to speak with a representative or log onto to www.GreenvilleDrive.com for more information.

(Images provided by Greenville Drive.)

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