SAN DIEGO -- The Rangers have hired Bobby Wilson, highly respected for his preparation as a catcher during a 16-year professional career, as their new manager at Double-A Frisco.

Wilson, 37, played in the majors from 2008-19, spending parts of 2015-16 with the Rangers. Wilson appeared in 15 games for Detroit in 2019, so he is taking the unusual step of going straight from a playing career into managing. And he’s doing so at perhaps the most significant level in the minor leagues, a level at which players either prove themselves as prospects or fall off the radar. He is also expected to have catcher Sam Huff, the Rangers No. 4-ranked prospect according the Dallas Morning News’ rankings, on the team.

“It’s exciting to be able to possibly have somebody of that caliber and something we’ve already had conversations about" Wilson said. "We want to speed up his [learning] curve as fast as we can, on a preparation and mental side of the game. To possibly have somebody like that is very exciting.”

Wilson said he had some conversations with the Rangers and one other club about possibly playing in 2020, but, ultimately decided not to go to camp for another year trying to win a job as a third catcher who would likely split time between the majors and minors.

“It was just about that time for me," Wilson said. "I’ve been in constant contact with a few guys in the Rangers organization. It’s something that I really want to do, it’s something that I have a passion for. It’s something I took a lot of pride in as a player, helping people and impacting lives. You’re not gonna play forever. And I started to figure that out the last couple of years, and this has just kind of been one of those things where people said, ‘I think you’ll be good at it.’ For me, it’s a new challenge, it’s an exciting challenge.”

Wilson replaces Joe Mikulik, who had spent the last five years with Frisco. Neither Mikulik nor Triple-A manager Jason Wood were retained after the 2019 season. The Rangers have not yet named a replacement at Triple-A. It is the only managerial opening remaining in their system.

The rest of the minor league coaching staffs:

Class AAA Nashville: Manager: TBA; Pitching: Greg Hibbard; Hitting: Chase Lambin; Coach: Tyler Graham*; Trainer Carlos Olivas; Strength: Al Sandoval

Class AA Frisco: Manager: Bobby Wilson*; Pitching: Jeff Andrews; Hitting: Josue Perez; Coach: Jonathan Gelnar*; Trainer: Alex Rodriguez (not that one); Strength : Wade Lamont

Class A Down East: Manager: Josh Johnson; Pitching: Steve Mintz; Hitting: Jared Goedert; Trainer: Luke Teeters; Strength: Jon Nazarko*

Class A Hickory: Manager: Carlos Cardoza; Pitching: Jose Jaimes; Hitting: Jason Hart; Coach: Jay Sullenger; Trainer: Tyler Voas; Strength: Andy Earp*

Class A (short-season) Spokane: Manager: Sean Cashman; Pitching: Bryan Conger; Hitting; Sharnol Adriana; Coach: Pat Brady*; Trainer: Yuichi Takizawa; Strength: Ed Yong

Minor League coordinators: Field: Matt Hagen; Infield: Kenny Holmberg; Pitching: Danny Clark; Pitching: Jono Arnold; Hitting: Cody Atkinson*; Roving coach: Geno Petralli; Roving catching instructor: Turtle Thomas.

*-indicates new hire