Rocket City Trash Pandas manager Andy Schatzley has been hired as the next infield coach for the Los Angeles Angels, the organization announced on Friday.
The promotion to join the Trash Pandas’ MLB affiliate club under new manager Kurt Suzuki comes after four seasons of leading the Trash Pandas.
He is the first on-field coach in Rocket City’s history to serve on staff with a Major League Baseball team.
“We have been so fortunate to have Andy Schatzley as our manager for the past four seasons,” Trash Pandas executive vice president and general manager Garrett Fahrmann wrote in a release. “He set very high standards for his players and staff. He made sure everyone on the team represented themselves and the organization well in our communities and on the road.
“We are really going to miss him here in the Rocket City, but are extremely excited for him to get this opportunity.”
Schatzley, who was hired in 2022 as the Trash Pandas’ second manager, compiled a 245-304 overall record across four seasons of leading Rocket City. He was named Southern League Manager of the Year in 2022 after guiding Rocket City to an 81-57 overall record.
According to a release, 33 Rocket City players reached the MLB level under Schatzley. Ten of those, including former first-round pick Christian Moore, were promoted to the Major League level this season.
Before being hired to lead the Trash Pandas, he served as the manager for the High-A Tri-City Dust Devils, which is also a Los Angeles Angels affiliate club. He earned the Preston Gómez Award that season, which honors the Angels’ Minor League Manager of the Year.
The Arkansas native and former Lyon College infielder has also served at Harding University, Emporia State University and Lubbock Christian University during his veteran coaching career.
The Trash Pandas are set to open the 2026 season on Friday, April 3, against the Biloxi Shuckers at Toyota Field.
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