Rhoades, 31, is a product of Oklahoma Baptist University and spent eight seasons as a pitcher in professional baseball. He advanced as high as Double-A in the Boston Red Sox organization, posting a 6-2 record with a 3.94 ERA in 56 appearances with Portland in 2009.

Rhoades served as the pitching coach for the Forth Worth Cats of the United League in 2013 and joined the Gary SouthShore RailCats of the American Association in 2014, working alongside Freedom manager Dennis Pelfrey. 

“We are very fortunate to have a guy like Chad Rhoades in our organization,” Pelfrey said. “In his third year coaching professionally by my side, he has become one of the best pitching coaches around. Chad will have our pitching staff prepared mentally and physically for the entire season; giving us a chance to win every night.”