FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
Roger Tomas (Courtesy of Miami (FL) Media Relations)
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Former University of Miami infielder Roger Tomas has returned to Miami baseball program as an assistant coach, head coach Jim Morris announced Tuesday.
A four-year letterwinner at UM from 2004-07, Tomas re-joins the Miami baseball program after spending three years in the Detroit Tigers organization.
“I am very excited and fortunate to be able to come back to my alma mater,” Tomas said. “Being able to start my coaching career at the best program in the country, I couldn’t ask for more. I look forward to working with coach Morris and his staff, as well as contributing to the legacy of this great program.”
Tomas will work with outfielders and hitters, in addition to coaching first base for the Hurricanes.
“Roger is a great addition to our staff,” Morris said. “He brings a wealth of experience from his time in baseball in the South Florida community, here at Miami and with the Detroit Tigers organization.”
In four seasons at Miami, Tomas started 186 games, compiling 208 career hits, 38 doubles, eight triples, two home runs and 86 RBI. Defensively, Tomas fielded .956 for his career, committing just 33 errors with 263 putouts and 454 assists.
As a senior, Tomas was named the 2007 Atlantic Coast Conference Male Scholar Athlete of the Year for the University of Miami. That same season, he also served as team captain and earned the Bob Werner Award, given to the player who most exemplifies the qualities of a winner selected by the UM coaches, players and staff. He also won the Arnold Novins Award, voted as the most popular player by the Hurricanes’ fans.
“We all know he loves the University of Miami,” Morris added. “He is going to coach just like he played – with his heart.”
Since signing with the Tigers in 2007, Tomas hit .280 in three minor league seasons. In 2008, he hit .310 with the West Michigan Whitecaps in the Midwest League (A).
In addition to his coaching duties, Tomas – who played at Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines – will play an important role in the organization and operation of the Jim Morris Baseball Camps.
He replaces Rey Fuentes, who coached hitters and outfielders during the 2009 season.
