NEW BISCUIT IN TOWN: Father's advice leads Boles to different role in baseball

Kevin Boles is the fifth manager to lead the Montgomery Biscuits. He comes from the New York Mets organization. (Tim Gayle)

By GRAHAM DUNN

New Montgomery Biscuits manager Kevin Boles found out early in his career what his future might look like, thanks to a suggestion from his father.

“I wanted to play and get drafted (out of high school) and I accomplished those goals but it didn’t take long to see (playing baseball) wasn’t going to work out,” he said.

Boles follows in the footsteps of Morgan Ensberg, who after five years in Montgomery was moved up to Triple-A Durham this off-season. Boles is the fifth manager in Biscuits history.

Not too long after Boles began his playing career, his dad, John, suggested he might try something else.

“He asked me, ‘Do you think you’ll play some day in the major leagues?’ Kevin Boles said. ”He followed that with a ‘no.’ It was the truth and actually, I loved (hearing) it.

“I appreciated his answer and I knew he wasn’t going to be biased.”

The bad news after his discussion with his father was Boles was headed no where as a minor league catcher. He noticed it rather early in the process moving into the Chicago Cubs system and staying just a couple of years.

Boles, like his father, knew something was bigger and better.

“I wasn’t a good player,” he admitted. “I made the transition easy. I got the most out of my ability.  The Cubs gave me my first opportunity and I am always grateful for that. I just didn’t think it was right to (stay in) the league. I also knew I was taking a spot for an accomplished player.”

Boles and his team open the 2024 home portion of the schedule on Tuesday against Pensacola in what is the beginning of the 20th anniversary of Montgomery Biscuits. First pitch at Riverwalk Stadium is 6:35 p.m.

Boles found out quickly that hitting in minor league ball was a lot different than at the college level, where he played for the University of South Florida.

“Once I got the wood bat in my hand, I knew,” Boles said. “I didn’t have the bat speed. The wooden bat was a great equalizer. And as a catcher, the throwing… I knew pretty quickly I had an average arm at best.”

John Boles knew his son was intent on staying in baseball. Luckily, Kevin Boles had the pedigree.

John Boles had a brief playing career before it ended due to an injury. But he quickly moved into college to begin coaching. Eight years later, after stints at St. Xavier and the University of Louisville, he moved to the pro ranks, first in the White Sox system before becoming a director of the farm system for the Kansas City Royals.

Later he managed at the Major League level with the Marlins. He skipped around the league in various jobs leading back to the Royals for a front-office job.

Tagging along was son, Kevin, who became quickly engrossed in the coaching game.

He knew where his future laid  at the young age of 25, when he got his first assignment.

“Thanks to my father and my background, I knew what I wanted to be my profession,” he said. “I felt like I stepped right in after my playing career was over.”

Boles became a manager in the Rookie Leagues and quickly moved into the Class A level in 2004 with Quad Cities (Royals).

Eventually, Boles settled in the Red Sox organization, spending 11 seasons with four different affiliates. After a brief stint in the Mets organization, he got the call from Tampa to interview for the Biscuits job.

This wasn’t his first time to flirt with the Rays system.

“I was fortunate to interview with Tampa,” he said. “I went to the Mets from Boston but I had spoken with Tampa Bay and it was an option. While I didn’t regret my decision (to join Tampa), I always wondered what it was like to be in this organization. It was always a team that likes to battle.”

Boles is joined in Montgomery with a basically new staff including bench coach German Melendez, hitting coach Paul Rozzelle and pitching. Coach Steve Merriman.

While the coaching staff is new, Boles’ first roster has plenty of familiar faces with no less than 17 players having spent some time in Montgomery over the last couple of years.

That number includes starter Brendan McKay, who has dealt with injuries after he left the Biscuits in 2021.

“What little I’ve been around (Boles), he seems like a good guy and coach,” McKay said.

“The Rays do a good job of scouting, training. They keep guys moving and make a great effort to find the right fit for everyone.”

“He knows the game really well,” added shortstop Carson Williams. “He’s already messing with us, so we’re already having a good time with him. He’s going to lead us in the right direction.” 

So far, Boles has been impressed with the system, rated as one of the Top 5 in all of baseball.

“They don’t give a lot of details but they give you the freedom to experiment,” he said. “They want their kids to be better. There are no hidden agendas.  It’s an enjoyable place to work. People are willing to help and we have great leadership.”

Boles spent spring training getting to know the players. He watched with interest how the organization rotated through the players on different days, giving him a chance to see all of the prospects.

“Sometimes we get rookie players and others you get another level,” he said. “One thing I noticed is the lower level pitching, very solid, which is what the Rays are known for. And there are very athletic players, very good athletes and a lot of speed out there.”

Boles had one connection already with Montgomery, His brother, Blake, was a student at Auburn University Montgomery and was stationed briefly in the Capital City.

“I remember telling him about the area so I’m somewhat aware of the city,” he said. “I’m looking forward to beginning there and from what I hear there are great fans here.”