State College Spikes announce the completion of 2023 coaching staff
The State College Spikes’ 2023 coaching staff has been filled out with former Major League pitcher Jerome Williams and former draft selections Tim Battle Jr. and Jesus Azuaje joining the staff.
Williams will join manager Dave Trembley’s staff as pitching coach after spending the past four seasons in the New York Mets organization. He was with Double-A Binghamton in 2022.
The former major league pitcher spent time with the Giants, Cubs, Nationals, Angels, Astros, Rangers, Phillies and Cardinals. He pitched from 2003-2016, pitching to a 4.59 earned-run average over the course of 236 appearances (149 starts). The Waipahu, Hawaii, native was a first-round pick of the Giants in 1999.
Battle is set to serve as State College’s hitting coach. He was selected by the Yankees in the third round of the 2003 MLB Draft and played in the organization for six seasons, before joining independent professional baseball for the following six seasons. He currently is a youth hitting instructor in the Atlanta area.
Azuaje previously played for the Williamsport Crosscutters in 2017 and 2018. He was a 25th round selection for the Phillies in 2017. The former Glendale Community College infielder played for Philadelphia’s organization for two seasons, Colorado’s for one and went to the Billings Mustangs of the Pioneer League in 2021, where he played for former Spikes manager Joe Kruzel.
The 25-year Azauje is following behind his father, also named Jesus Azauje, in coaching baseball. His father now manages the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League Royals and played 15 years of professional baseball.
The Spikes will begin play at Medlar Field on June 2, at 6:35 p.m. against the Williamsport Crosscutters. State College will host 40 home games, tying for most in franchise history.
