New Hot Rods Manager Rafael Valenzuela Takes Jump to Bowling Green

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – After spending four years in the Houston Astros organization, current Hot Rods Manager Rafael Valenzuela had a decision to make as his playing days were coming to a close, either step away from the game of baseball and turn onto a new avenue or continue on the road to the show in a different way.

“I was very close to taking a internship in sales before I got into coaching,” Valenzuela said. “I got a phone call from my college coach, and I had a semester left to finish my degree. So, he offered me the job as an undergrad assistant and I was like, I’ll give it a try.”

After spending time at the University of Arizona, Valenzuela joined the Tampa Bay Rays organization, serving as a coach for the GCL Rays in 2016.

From there, he has taken several pit stops from Durham to Princeton and now here in Bowling Green.