Don't Call It A Comeback

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Don't Call It A Comeback

#1 Post by Zephyrs »

Reno, Nevada. – Antonio ‘Trashmaster” Morales was drafted in the first round of the 2011 Amateur Draft out of United States Collegiate Baseball Association. Reno selected the young speedy outfielder with the sixth overall selection after making a name for himself as a member of the Memphis Belles. He posted an impressive .972 OPS in 130 games at the college level. After just three seasons in the Reno minor leagues, Trashmaster made his PEBA debut for Reno in 2014. He was considered a decent player with Reno but, never really established himself as a premium player. He bounced around the PEBA and the League of the Rising Sun for a few seasons before retiring in 2025.

The Zephyrs and Morales have talked often about the possibility of him working with the team as a part-time hitting coach. It’s believed Morales was ready to spend most of his time in the minors as a roving instructor when the team surprised him with an offer to become the Zephyrs Full Time Hitting Coach.

“Antonio is about as passionate about hitting as anyone we’ve encountered,” said Assistant GM Eugene Brown. “Our organization is excited that we will be able to tap into him as a resource for our hitters young and old.”

The formal agreement between Morales and the Zephyrs will pay him $128,000 over two seasons.

“We’ve stayed in touch with him since his retirement from the PEBA,” said Brown. “We went to lunch with him several times and he has been to our offices on a number of occasions. We continued to talk about what the next chapter of his professional career would be full well knowing he would be on our short list for any coaching openings.”

Morales was a guest with the Zephyrs during spring training in 2026 and made a good impression on the younger players.

“I had a great time at spring training,” said Morales. “The staff and players who were there told me I had a lot to offer.”

In parts of 10 seasons 2014 through 2023, Morales hit .271 with 51 homers, 83 Doubles and 230 stolen bases. He ranks third on the franchise’s all-time stolen bases list.

The Reno Zephyrs now have two former players serving as coaches. Tony ‘Whitey’ Carmona is the Zephyrs Bench Coach and now Antonio ‘Trashmaster’ Morales will be the Hitting Coach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vimZj8HW0Kg
Scott Maynor GM Reno Zephyrs
Joined September 2010
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