Freddy Smith – Field Manager

Smith returns to the Willmar Stingers as field manager after signing a two-year agreement to lead the club in 2026 and 2027. He previously managed the Stingers from 2022–2024, guiding the team to three consecutive postseason appearances and record-setting seasons, including a 48–20 mark in 2022, a franchise-best 51–16 finish in 2023, and a 44–26 campaign in 2024. Smith earned Northwoods League Manager of the Year honors in 2023 and holds the highest winning percentage in Stingers history. During his tenure, Willmar set multiple league and team records, highlighted by consecutive league scoring and stolen base records, along with franchise highs in batting average, home runs, runs scored, and pitching strikeouts. Smith has coached five of the past six seasons in the Northwoods League and has collegiate coaching experience at programs including the University of Hawaiʻi, Georgia State University, and Cal State Northridge.

Augie Rodriguez – Recruiting Coordinator

Rodriguez joins the Stingers with years of coaching and managing experience in the Northwoods League. A former college player at Darton College and Augusta State (1998–2002), he went on to play pro ball through 2007, including a stint with the Criollos de Caguas in Puerto Rico. He began coaching at Augusta State in 2010 and later managed St. Cloud from 2012–2020, earning Northwoods League Manager of the Year honors in 2016. Rodriguez resides in St. Cloud with his wife Rachel, his daughter Vivianna, and son, AJ.