The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots and manager Brett Jodie have announced the coaching staff for the 2019 season. Glen Barker will return as the team’s Third Base/ Hitting coach while Jon Hunton will also return as the team’s Pitching Coach/ Director of Baseball Operations. Fox Beyer will continue to work as a volunteer Assistant Coach.
“Around the turn of the new year, every year, I find myself getting really excited about baseball and our season,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie. “There are so many wonderful memories throughout the years in Somerset. It truly is a special and unique environment here. I am very fortunate to be a small part of such an awesome organization with so many great people, players, staff and fans.” 
Jodie enters his seventh season as manager and 16th overall season with the Somerset Patriots organization. He carries a 487-336 (.592) record in his first six seasons as a manager, including a 2015 Atlantic Championship. His teams have won seven of a possible 12 Half Championships and have made the playoffs in each of his seasons at the helm.
The South Carolina native was named the 2015 Atlantic League Manager of the Year after his team not only won the league’s title but recorded a historic 50-win first half: the most wins in any half by any team in league history. Additionally, Jodie’s 2013 team set a franchise record with 90 wins and he became the fastest manager in league history to win 250 games, setting that mark on August 26, 2015.
Jodie first joined the Patriots organization in 2003 as a player. That year, the former New York Yankee southpaw went 12-5 with a 3.78 ERA en route to an Atlantic League championship. He also made 10 starts with Somerset in 2005 before he announced his retirement. Jodie then became the team’s pitching coach in 2006 – a position he held through 2012 – and the Director of Player Personnel from 2007 through 2013. He won two additional championships as a coach in 2008 and 2009.
Jodie is the longest-tenured coach in the Atlantic League and is tied with Mark Mason (York) as the league’s longest-tenured manager.
Barker enters his fourth season as the Third Base/Hitting Coach in Somerset. Under his tutelage last year, the Patriots as a team finished second in the Atlantic League in stolen bases (173) and walks (460), and third in on-base percentage (.348). The team also struck out the second-fewest amount of times in the league (850).
Barker played in 235 games for the Houston Astros from 1999 through 2001. In 1999, Barker hit .288 with 23 runs scored, 21 hits, two doubles, a home run, 11 RBI and 17 stolen bases in 81 games played.
He was originally drafted in the 11th round of the 1993 MLB draft by the Detroit Tigers. He spent six seasons in the organization before joining the Astros in 1999. His minor league career also included time in the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles organizations.
For his minor league career, Barker had 430 runs scored, 656 hits, 113 doubles, 31 triples, 37 home runs, 262 RBI and 236 stolen bases.
Hunton enters his eighth overall season with the Somerset Patriots and second as the team’s Pitching Coach/ Director of Baseball Operations. He previously spent six seasons as a record-setting relief pitcher; the latter four of which he was also the Director of Player Personnel.
The North Plainfield, New Jersey native spearheaded a pitching staff that led the league in strikeouts (997) and finished second in ERA (3.62), WHIP (1.29), BAA (.253) and walks allowed (335) in his first season as pitching coach. He also played an integral role in putting together a roster that finished with the best overall record in the Liberty Division.
Hunton finished his Atlantic League playing career as the single season (49, 2014) and all-time saves leader (167), 158 of which came with Somerset. Additionally, he was twice named an Atlantic League All-Star (2013 and 2016) and has won three Atlantic League championships, including two with the Patriots (2008 and 2015).
In 2014, Hunton became the first player in professional baseball to hold the title of Director of Player Personnel while still playing. The 6’9” closer either led or finished second in the league in saves in four-straight seasons (2013-2016). He previously had years of service in both the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics organizations.
Hunton has 275 career saves over a 14-year career that’s taken him all over the United States and around the world.
Beyer comes back for his 12th season as a volunteer Assistant Coach/ Bench Coach for the Somerset Patriots.
He spent parts of three seasons filling the same position in the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies organizations- both at the Double-A level.
The Somerset Patriots will be back in action on Friday, April 26th for Opening Day at TD Bank Ballpark. Stay up to date on all the team news throughout the offseason online; on all of our social media platforms, and on our mobile app. For more information, visit www.somersetpatriots.com.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 40 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 players and 70 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment.
For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.
