Rocket Wheeler returns to manage Atlanta Braves’ low-A affiliate

Atlanta’s low-A minor league affiliate will have a very familiar face at skipper for the upcoming 2018 season as the team’s original manager returns.

The Rome Braves, low-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, announced the team’s field staff for the upcoming 2018 season on Friday, and the lineup features a familiar name at the top of the roster.

Rocket Wheeler, who was the original manager of the Rome Braves in 2003 when the team moved from Macon, will replace Randy Ingle as skipper.

Wheeler’s 2003 Braves won the South Atlantic League in their inaugural season, compiling a record of 78-61. The team was an early look at a few future “baby Braves,” featuring names like Brian McCann, Jeff Francoeur, Blaine Boyer and Kyle Davies.

In his next two seasons at Rome, Wheeler’s teams went 70-70 in 2004 and 72-65  in 2005. The Houston, Texas native coached in the Braves system through the 2017, last with Atlanta’s high-A affiliate in Florida. He took over the Fire Frogs mid-season in their first campaign.

Outgoing manager Randy Ingle had coached the Rome Braves on-and-off since the 2006 season, taking over the team when Rocket Wheeler left for Myrtle Beach. Ingle’s 2016 squad won the team’s second SAL title since the team moved to Rome.

Wheeler will be joined by hitting coach Bobby Moore, pitching coach Dan Meyer and trainer Vic Scarpone. All three coaches are were members of the 2017 field staff. Moore will be in his sixth season with Rome. Meyer returns for his third season as a coach, and was actually a player under Wheeler on the 2003 Sally League title team.

It should be noted that managerial changes at the minor league level aren’t exactly like those at the big league level. Shifts between teams on the farm are common from season to season.

Next: Projecting the 2018 starting rotation

Rome’s 2018 season is set to start in a home opener at State Mutual Stadium on Thursday, April 5 at 7 p.m.