Get Ready, Biloxi! A Familiar Face is Back at the Helm for the Shuckers' 2026 Season!
Hold onto your hats, baseball fans! The Milwaukee Brewers have officially unveiled the coaching lineup for the Biloxi Shuckers' 2026 season, and the big news is that Mike Guerrero is returning to manage the team! After a couple of seasons away, working as a roving infield instructor, Guerrero is back to lead the Shuckers, bringing his wealth of experience and a proven track record to the dugout.
But here's where it gets interesting: Guerrero isn't coming back alone. He'll be joined by a talented crew, including Kevin Martir returning for his second year as hitting coach, Josh Spence for his third as pitching coach, Matt Lipka for his second as assistant coach, and Tyson Cooper stepping into his first season as associate head coach. This blend of returning talent and fresh energy promises an exciting season ahead.
Now, you might remember Joe Ayrault, who helmed the Shuckers from 2024-25. He's earned a well-deserved promotion to Brewers Minor League Field Coordinator. Ayrault's tenure was impressive, marked by a 140-233 record and, notably, he and Guerrero are the only Shuckers managers to have led the team to back-to-back playoff appearances. That's a pretty tough act to follow!
Guerrero himself is no stranger to Biloxi, entering his ninth season with the team and his 27th overall as a minor league manager. He's already achieved an incredible 1,400 career wins and is on the cusp of another major milestone, needing just 55 more wins in 2026 to reach 1,500! His 1,445 wins currently place him sixth among active minor league managers. And for Biloxi specifically? With a stellar 492-449 record, he's already cemented his legacy as the winningest coach in the team's history.
His recent role as a roving infield instructor meant he wasn't tied to just one affiliate, but rather worked across multiple Brewers teams, a valuable experience that surely sharpens his ability to develop talent across the board.
And this is the part most people miss: Guerrero has had a hand in developing a staggering 71 out of 82 former Shuckers who have gone on to make their MLB debuts. We're talking about stars like Corbin Burnes, Freddy Peralta, Jackson Chourio, Josh Hader, and Brice Turang! He also guided Biloxi to become the first Brewers Double-A affiliate since 2006-2007 to reach the championship series in consecutive seasons (2018 and 2019). His accolades are extensive, including Southern League Manager of the Year (2018), the Mike Coolbaugh Award (2013), Florida State League Manager of the Year (2009), and Dominican Summer League Manager of the Year (2001).
Let's talk about the rest of the coaching staff. Kevin Martir, in his eighth season as a minor league coach and second with Biloxi, oversaw an offense in 2025 that led the Southern League in an impressive seven categories: runs (639), doubles (197), home runs (111), walks (621), on-base percentage (.337), slugging percentage (.362), and OPS (.699). Before joining the Shuckers, he spent five seasons with the New York Yankees organization.
Josh Spence returns for his third year on the Shuckers' staff and second as pitching coach. In 2025, he nurtured a pitching staff that included four Brewers Top-30 prospects, notably Tyson Hardin, the 2025 Brewers Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Spence himself has a notable playing career, with 188 professional appearances across MLB, MiLB, and independent leagues, including 51 MLB appearances with the San Diego Padres.
Matt Lipka joins for his second season in Biloxi, bringing a wealth of experience from a 12-year playing career where he appeared in 1,137 minor league games as an outfielder.
And Tyson Cooper is set to begin his first season with the Shuckers, marking his second year in professional baseball after serving as a development coach with the Rookie-level ACL Brewers in 2025.
For those new to the Shuckers, they are the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, competing in the Southern League and calling Keesler Federal Park in Biloxi, Mississippi, their home. Mark your calendars – their first home game is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos!
So, what do you think about Guerrero's return? Does his history with developing MLB talent make you optimistic for the Shuckers' future? Or do you believe a fresh managerial perspective might have been a better choice? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
