Major League Athletic Trainers

Tampa Bay Rays

Ron Porterfield
Position: Head Athletic Trainer
College Attended: New Mexico State University(B.A.)
Years in MLB: 8
Ron Porterfield, 45, is entering his fifth year as Head Major League Athletic Trainer with the Tampa Bay Rays after serving the previous three years as Assistant. Prior to his move to the Major Leagues, Porterfield spent 15 years in the Minor Leagues. From 1988 to 1996, he worked his way through the ranks of the Houston Astros organization. During this time, Porterfield served as an athletic trainer for teams in Auburn, N.Y.; Kissimmee, Fl.; Columbus, Ga.; Jackson, Miss.; and Tucson, Ariz. In 1997, Porterfield was hired by the Tampa Bay Rays to serve as their Minor League medical and rehabilitation coordinator until he was promoted to the Major League club. A Santa Fe, N.M., native, Porterfield is a certified member of the NATA. In 2009, Porterfield shared honors with Paul Harker and Nick Paparesta as “Major League Athletic Training Staff of the Year". In 2005, Porterfield shared honors with Ken Crenshaw as "Major League Athletic Training Staff of the Year", in 1992, Porterfield was named the Texas League Athletic Trainer of the Year, and in 1991 and 1992 he served as an athletic trainer for Magallanes in Valencia, Venezuela. Porterfield and his wife Barbara live in Parrish, Fla., with their children, Alec (13) and Abbey (10).

Paul Harker
Position: Assistant Athletic Trainer
College Attended: Florida State University
Years in MLB: 5
Paul Harker, 42, is entering his fifth year as an Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Rays, and his 14th year, overall, with the Rays organization. He was the Rays Minor League Athletic Training & Rehabilitation Coordinator (2003 - 2005). He spent 5 seasons (1998 - 2002) as the Rays Triple A (Durham Bulls) Athletic Trainer. During the 1997 season, Harker was the Rays High A (St. Petersburg Devil Rays) Athletic Trainer. Prior to being hired by the Rays, he spent 6 seasons (1991 - 1996) as a minor league athletic trainer with the Seattle Mariners organization. He attended Furman University (1986 - 1987). In the fall of 1987, he transferred to Florida State University where he began working as a student athletic trainer. He received a Bachelor of Science degree, from FSU, in April of 1991. Paul, his wife Julie, and their children Derek, Cameron, and Paige reside in Parrish, FL.

Nick Paparesta
Position: Athletic Trainer
College Attended: Baldwin-Wallace College (B.A.)
Years in MLB: 3
Nick, 35, returns for his Fifth year with the Rays organization, third as major league assistant athletic trainer. He spent his first two seasons as minor league head trainer and rehabilitation coordinator and was responsible for overseeing all minor league trainers and rehabilitation with minor league players as well as assisting with the major league club. A native of Fort. Myers, Fla., Paparesta previously work in the Cleveland Indians organization for 11 seasons, including four with Triple-A Buffalo. He is a graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, and is certified by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and is a certified strength and conditioning trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Nick and his wife, Kristel, reside in Tampa with son Noah (10) and daughter Alaina (4).