June 27, 2013

LEXINGTON, Ky. — For the third consecutive year, Kentucky baseball will be represented during the MLB Futures Game, as former UK star Andy Green – the manager of the double-A Mobile BayBears – has been named to the USA coaching staff for the annual game that features the top prospects in minor league baseball, set for July 16 at Citi Field as part of MLB All-Star festivities.

Green, who starred at UK from 1997-2000, is currently the head coach of the Arizona Diamondbacks double-A affiliate in Mobile, Ala. Green is the third consecutive former UK star to participate in the MLB Futures Game, as James Paxton (2008-10) pitched for the World Team in 2011 and Alex Meyer (2009-11) pitched for the USA in 2012.

“It’s a great opportunity to represent the organization, to have a neat experience and to go to Citi Field, which was the last place I played a Major League game,” Green said in an article on AL.com. “So it will be nice to return there.”

Green, a native of Lexington, Ky., and a product of Lexington Christian Academy, will be on the USA staff that will be managed by former Mets centerfielder Mookie Wilson.

Green played four total seasons in the big leagues, seeing time with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Mets. He concluded his MLB career with four games played with the Mets in 2009. Green totaled a .200 average in 140 MLB games, with seven doubles, two homers and 12 RBI, stealing two bases. Green hit for a .295 average in 10 years of minor league baseball, with 67 homers, 418 RBI and 126 steals. Green’s best minor league season came in 2005 in triple-A, where he hit .343 with 46 doubles, 13 triples, 19 homers and 80 RBI.

His best season with the Wildcats came in 2000 as a junior, when Green hit .368 with 89 hits, 18 doubles, three triples, 11 homers, 45 RBI and 27 steals, before signing with the Diamondbacks as a 24th round pick. He completed his UK career ranked first in school history in games, starts, at bats, runs and hits.