University of Arkansas at Little Rock head baseball coach Chris Curry has announced the promotion of Jacob Caples to director of operations and player development and the addition of Christian Reyes as graduate manager.

Caples joins the Trojans for his second season after serving as the team’s graduate manager during the 2019 season. He helped lead the team to their first winning season since 2010, a program-record 18 conference wins and a monumental 17-7 victory over Arkansas.

“Jacob is a hard worker, very intelligent, and is going to be a star in the game,” Curry said. “We’re fortunate to have him and the role he’ll take on for us is one of great attention to detail and will ultimately benefit our players and take us another step forward towards winning a championship.”

Reyes will return to the program as a graduate manager after lettering with Little Rock for four years. The Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, native was the starting shortstop on the record-breaking 2019 team and broke the program record for sacrifice bunts with 28 in his career. Reyes started all 57 games and led the team in runs scored during his senior campaign.

“It’s always gratifying when a player commits to you, stays loyal, and gives the program everything he’s got for four years,” Curry said. “Reyes set program records and brought the program to new heights. Now, we have a player on the other side of the white line to help us in the coaches’ offices and in the dugout to help the next generation of players. He was a coach on the field during his playing time, and there is no doubt he’ll be a very good coach one day.”

In 2020, Caples and Reyes will look to build upon the Trojans’ massively successful season they enjoyed in 2019.