Willie Blair (pitching coach), Troy Gingrich (hitting coach), Peterson Plaz (coach), Lauren Powers (athletic trainer), Dominic Cothern (strength and conditioning coach) and Hunter Rickard (video and tech specialist) round out the staff.
Harrison, 45, has 11 seasons of minor league managing/coaching experience. Prior to serving as the Dragons manager in 2024, he worked as a coach with the Reds Triple-A club, the Louisville Bats, in 2023.
Harrison played at Princeton High School in Cincinnati before starring in both baseball and football at the University of Kentucky. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2001 and spent four years as a player in their farm system, reaching the Double-A level.
After Harrison’s playing career ended following the 2011 season, he was hired as a coach by the Pirates. He joined the Diamondbacks organization as a hitting coach in 2014 and spent five years in that role before becoming a manager. He managed for three years in the Diamondbacks system before joining the Reds organization in 2023.
The Reds will wrap up spring training in Dayton on March 25 against a team consisting of their minor league prospects. The Reds open their season two days later vs. the Giants at Great American Ballpark.
The Dragons open the season April 4 at West Michigan. Dayton’s home opener is set for April 8 vs. Fort Wayne at Day Air Ballpark.
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