Ragsdale attended
Nettleton High School in
Jonesboro, Arkansas.[1] Ragsdale committed to the
University of Arkansas but was drafted by the
New York Mets in the 2nd round of the
2001 MLB draft and signed.[2] An infielder, Ragsdale played in the Mets organization from 2001 through 2007. Ragsdale joined
Texas Rangers organization as a minor league free agent in 2008. He converted to pitching during the 2008 season and continued playing through the 2009 season.[2]
Ragsdale remained in the Texas organization as a coach and served as an infield instructor at their Arizona complex in 2010.[2] In 2011, he served as an infield coach for the
Hickory Crawdads.[3] He served as the manager of the
AZL Rangers in 2012, leading them to an
Arizona League championship.[4] Ragsdale served as the manager for Hickory from the 2013 through 2015 seasons.[3][5] Ragsdale led the Crawdads to the
South Atlantic League championship in 2015.[6] Ragsdale served as the minor league field coordinator for Texas from 2016 through 2019.[7] He served as manager of the
Down East Wood Ducks in 2019.[8]
Ragsdale was promoted to the major league staff, as major league field coordinator, on November 11, 2019.[9][10] Ragsdale was named the Rangers
first base coach on July 2, 2020.[11] Ragsdale was moved to third base coach on August 15, 2022, after manager
Chris Woodward was fired and
Tony Beasley was elevated to interim manager.[12] He returned to first base coach prior to the 2023 season.[13]
Awards
Ragsdale received the Rangers 2015 Bobby Jones Player Development Man of the Year award.[14] He was named the 2019
Carolina League Manager of the Year.[15] Ragsdale was named the 2019
Baseball America Minor League Manager of the Year.[16]