Alabama Baseball Announces Staff Promotions,New Hire for 2025 Season

TUSCALOOSA,Ala.- In a strategic move to bolster it’s baseball programme,the University of Alabama announced today the promotion of Garrett Wood to Director of Player Development,while also welcoming Kasen Rainey as the new Director of Pitching Development adn Analytics. These changes come as Alabama prepares for the 2025 season following a successful 2024 campaign that included a series win over the then-No.1 ranked University of Georgia Bulldogs.

Wood steps into the role previously held by Mikey White, but will continue to oversee recruiting efforts for the Crimson Tide. Head coach Brad Vaughn praised Wood’s rapid development as a coach, highlighting his dedication and focus on player growth. “Garrett has shown that he is a star in the making in the coaching world,” Vaughn stated. “He’s selfless, has a relentless work ethic and is all about investing in people. we are thrilled to promote Garrett and to keep him and his wife Whitney here for years to come.”

The addition of Kasen Rainey marks a return to Tuscaloosa for the analytics expert. Rainey previously served as Alabama’s Director of Player Strategy during the 2023-2024 seasons before spending time as a Major league pitching analyst with the Cincinnati Reds. He will now lead the pitching development and analytics department,working alongside Jason Jackson and Mike Morrison. Vaughn emphasized Rainey’s unique ability to translate complex data into actionable insights for players. “Bringing back kasen was one of the easiest decisions that we’ve ever made,” Vaughn said. “he has the unique ability to be the smartest guy in the room but has the wherewithal to be able to communicate in a way that players can digest the details clearly and easily. It’s such a joy to bring Kasen and his wife, Caroline, back home to Tuscaloosa.”

Looking Ahead: These staffing changes signal Alabama Baseball’s commitment to a data-driven approach to player development and pitching strategy. The program is currently conducting fall camp, with the first scrimmage taking place in October 2024.The Crimson Tide finished the 2024 season with a 34-23 overall record and a 14-16 SEC record. The team will look to build on that momentum in the upcoming 2025 season, aiming for a return to NCAA Tournament play.