Julio Garcia, who has 13 years of experience as a minor league manager, was named manager of the Billings Mustangs on Monday.
The Cincinnati Reds, the parent club of the Mustangs, also announced the hiring of Tony Jaramillo as hitting coach for the Pioneer League team. Jaramillo replaces Aaron Holbert, who recently accepted a managerial position in the Cleveland Indians' organization.
Garcia takes the place of Frank Cacciatore, who was initially named Mustangs manager but accepted a job with the Philadelphia Phillies instead.
Garcia, 47, spent the last two years as the Latin American field coordinator for the Chicago Cubs. In 2005, he managed the Peoria Chiefs of the Midwest League and from 2001 to 2004 he managed Lansing, winning the Midwest League championship in 2003. In his 13 seasons as a minor league manager, Garcia has a 621-655 record. In addition to managing the Mustangs, Garcia will also serve as a special assistant to Terry Reynolds, the Reds director of player development.
"I am very excited to be joining the Reds organization, an organization rich in tradition, and also to be in Billings, which is also in a great league that has produced many Major League players," Garcia said in a press release. "I have never been in the town, but all the reviews I have received have been outstanding. I am looking forward to my stay."
Garcia and Jaramillo join pitching coach Tom Browning, who was named previously to the Mustangs staff. Browning, a Casper, Wyo., native, is a member of the Mustangs Hall of Fame and pitched 10 seasons wit the Reds.
Charles Leddon will return for his second season as the Mustangs trainer, while the Reds named Michael Bolduc the strength and conditioning coach