The Salem RidgeYaks, in conjunction with the Boston Red Sox, have announced their coaching staff for the 2026 Carolina League season. The staff is highlighted by the return of manager Ozzie Chavez and four coaches from the 2025 Salem staff.
Nelson Paulino (Hitting Coach), Alex Reynolds (Pitching Coach), Kyle Schmidt (Defensive Coach) and Brenden Argomaniz (Assistant Pitching Coach) all return to Salem for the 2026 season. New additions to the RidgeYaks’ coaching staff include Ivan Quackenbush (Assistant Hitting Coach), Jessica von Kessel (Athletic Trainer), and J.P. Echeverría (Strength and Conditioning Coach), completing the club’s 2026 staff.
Chavez returns for his second consecutive season as Salem’s manager after leading the club during the 2025 campaign. Now entering his fourth season with Salem, Chavez previously spent two seasons as the club’s bench coach before being promoted to manager ahead of the 2025 season.
A former 12-year minor league player, Chavez brings prior managerial experience within the organization, having managed the Red Sox Dominican Republic Academy from 2019–22, including a run to the Dominican Summer League semifinals in 2022. Chavez has been a member of the Red Sox organization since 2015.
The Salem RidgeYaks will take the field under their new identity for the first time on Thursday, April 2, 2026, when they host the Delmarva Shorebirds on Opening Day at Carilion Clinic Field. For more information on the upcoming season, visit ridgeyaks.com or call (540) 389-3333.
