The Houston Astros announced on Wednesday, Jan. 28, that Corpus Christi Hooks manager Ricky Rivera, pitching coach Zach Wilkins, hitting coach Bobby Bell, development coach Jeremy Cologna, athletic trainer Jennifer Bardales and strength coach Kevin Rivera will be on staff in 2026. Returned to lead the organization.
Rivera, the 10th head coach in 21 seasons of Hooks baseball, returns to Corpus Christi for the second consecutive season.
advertise
Hook baseball: Houston Astros agree to sell Hooks to Diamond Baseball Holdings
The 2026 season marks Rivera’s sixth year as a minor league head coach. He joined the Astros in 2020 and spent two seasons coaching in the Florida Combine. Prior to joining the Hookers, Rivera led the Astros’ Class A affiliate in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in 2023 and 2024.
Rivera was born in Dorado, Puerto Rico and played college baseball at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M University and Central Missouri State.
Bell and Bardales also return to Double-A and will begin their third seasons in Corpus Christi. Kevin Rivera is entering his second year with the Huskers. Wilkins spent last season as pitching coach at High-A Asheville after two years with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers. Colonia joins the Astros system after stints at Missouri State and the New York Mets.
advertise
“We are excited to have Ricky and his staff coming to Whataburger Field in 2026,” said Hooks general manager Brady Ballard. “They’re eager to get back to work and develop the next group of players for the Houston Astros, and we can certainly help bring energy to the ballpark every night.”
The Houston Astros’ Texas League affiliate, the Hookers, will kick off their 21st season at Waterberg Field on Thursday, April 2, when the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders visit for a three-game series.
This article originally appeared in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times: Houston Astros set 2026 coaching staff for Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks
