The Dugout Baseball Academy
Home of Los Tigres Baseball
The Dugout Coaches
The Dugout Baseball Training Staff
The unique group of former professional and college Dominican-trained coaches gives athletes a training experience like no other, with a strong focus on fundamentals, skills, mental focus, and respect of the game.
Coach Raffi has many years experience coaching at the high school level in the greater Houston area, with many of his former athletes playing at the Collegiate and professional level. His biggest accomplishment in his long career has been watching the kids he's trained from Little League age achieve great things in their own collegiate and MLB careers. It's what the game is all about.
Rafael Gross - Dugout Owner & Manager of Los Tigres Baseball
Coach Raffi began his playing career in the Dominican Republic, where he was scouted and signed by the Dodgers camp, and brought to the U.S. in 1993. He spent many years with both the Dodgers and Indians organizations as an infielder, earning many awards and recognitions, before a potential career-ending broken shoulder.
Following surgery, and months of rehab in the Dominican, coach Raffi's cousins, all former MLB pitchers, worked with him on his pitching technique, allowing him to return to the Indians camp as a relief pitcher.
Coach Raffi joined the Northern League Winnipeg Goldeyes in 2001, where he worked to become a starting pitcher for the league, earning Pitcher of the Year, and named to the league All Star team 3 times, as well as Baseball America's All-Independent 1st Team. In the 4 seasons he spent with the Goldeyes, coach Raffi finished with a pitching record of 36-9, and a stellar 2.80 ERA.
In the off-season, he was a relief pitcher for La Romana Toros in the Dominican Winterball League, where he earned top honors as Reliever of the Year, while facing some of MLB's top players.
After 17 years in professional baseball, coach Raffi turned his focus on his passion and natural talent, teaching the game of baseball. His achievements as a player, trainer and coach has helped him in becoming one of the top trainers in the greater Houston area.
Manny Mejia - Dugout Trainer & Coach of Los Tigres
Scouted out of the Dominican Republic, Manny had his start in professional baseball with the Pirate's organization in the early '90s, where he spent his time as a force in the organization.
A catcher & 1st baseman, Manny made his way to the NY Yankees organization where he was recognized on the field as a starting catcher.
Playing with the Sugarland Skeeters, Manny was honored to catch for baseball great Roger Clemens and other high-caliber pitchers within the league.
He continued his success in the Mexican league as a catcher, where he helped lead his team to win the championship pennant in 2013.
After years as a professional player, coach Manny decided to hang up his cleats, but not his glove. He joined the Dugout as a catching specialist, providing training and expertise to each athlete he works with, building their skill level and performance for success on the field.
Wilmy Marrero - Dugout Trainer & Coach of Los Tigres
Wilmy is from Houston, born and raised, with Dominican roots, where he played at Pasadena HS, earning all-conference and all-area honors. While at Southern University, Baton Rouge, he played under head coach Roger Cador. Chosen as the baseball team captain for Southern University 2011/2012, he earned honors as the SWAC 1st Team All-Conference Player, as well as the SWAC Baseball 2nd Team Honorable Mention.
Following a major injury sustained while playing for Southern that forced him to hang up his glove and bat as a player, Wilmy transitioned into coaching under Cador, developing & mentoring the Southern University baseball team in conjunction with the coaching team both on and off the field.
After graduation from Southern, Wilmy joined the Dugout family as a coach and trainer, helping coach Raffi establish and build Los Tigres organization.
Jesse Holiday - Dugout Trainer & Coach of Los Tigres
Jesse was raised in the Sugarland area, and attended Southern University, majoring in computer science. He was a 4-year starter, earning the honor of All-Conference Team. Following college, Jesse played independent ball in the Frontier League, with the Lake Erie Crushers, and in the Pacific Association with the Sonoma Stompers. He joined Los Tigres in 2016, and has been an imperative part of the family, both on the field as a coach, trainer, and mentor for the players.
Training at the Dugout
Individual, Group & Team Training
The Dugout trainers tailor each training session to the needs of each athlete by assessing their ability, mechanics and skill level at each training session, allowing the trainer to develop a program to build on the athlete's strengths, while developing areas needing improvement, allowing for success on the field.
Online scheduling for individual lessons is available via the "schedule NOW" link both here and at the top of the page.
Please call the Dugout front desk at 713-795-5991 for pricing, or to schedule group or team training.
Online Lesson Waitlist Available
Can't find an appointment date/time that works?
Is your favorite coach booked up?
The Dugout scheduling program, Genbook, now offers a waitlist. When booking a lesson in Genbook, simply click on "waitlist" at the bottom of the page, and enter the day/time you would like to be placed on a waitlist. You will be notified of any cancellations as soon as they happen, with the option to book the open spot once it's been released.
Cage Rentals
50 ft and 70 ft cage rentals available. Please contact the Dugout for availability and pricing.
50 ft (2) cages & 70 ft (2) cages can be opened to one larger fielding area if necessary.