Cards shuffle 2018 Minors staffs significantly
ST. LOUIS -- In announcing their Minor League staff and player-development assignments for 2018 on Thursday, the Cardinals revealed significant shakeup within their coaching staff ranks.
All nine of the organization's affiliates will have at least one new coach on their field staff next season. That includes new pitching coaches for six clubs, as well as seven new hitting-coach assignments. However, seven of the affiliate managers will be returning, including Stubby Clapp, who led Triple-A Memphis to the Pacific Coast League title in his first year at the helm.
Additionally, the Cardinals announced that former All-Stars Ryan Ludwick and Jason Isringhausen will assume new roles within the organization. Ludwick has been named the Cardinals' Minor League hitting instructor and Isringhausen will serve as one of two Minor League pitching instructors. Randy Niemann, a former Major League bullpen coach, was named the other.
The Cardinals' pitching-coach shuffle was necessary after Bryan Eversgerd was promoted to the Major League staff (bullpen coach) and Jason Simontacchi left the organization to take a position within the Royals' system.
A full list of the organization's Minor League coaching and staff assignments are as follows:
Managers: Clapp (Memphis), Johnny Rodriguez (Double-A Springfield), Dann Bilardello (Class A Advanced Palm Beach), Chris Swauger (Class A Peoria), Joe Kruzel (Class A Short-Season State College), Roberto Espinoza (Rookie-level Johnson City), Erick Almonte (Gulf Coast League), Fray Peniche (Dominican Summer League), John Matos (Dominican Summer League)
Pitching Coaches: Dernier Orozco (Memphis), Darwin Marrero (Springfield), Will Ohman (Palm Beach), Cale Johnson (Peoria), Adrian Martin (State College), Rick Harig (Johnson City), Giovanni Carrara (Gulf Coast League), Billy Villanueva (Dominican Summer League)
Hitting Coaches: Mark Budaska (Memphis), Jobel Jimenez (Springfield), Brandon Allen (Palm Beach), Russ Chambliss (Peoria), Roger LaFrancois (State College), Cody Gabella (Johnson City), Joshua Lopez (Gulf Coast League), Jose Leon (Dominican Summer League), Nabo Martinez (Dominican Summer League)
Field Instructors/Coordinators: Mark DeJohn (field coordinator), Ron "Pop" Warner (assistant field coordinator), Jose Leger (Dominican Republic field coordinator), Tim Leveque (senior pitching coordinator), George Greer (offensive strategist), Paul Davis (manager/pitching analytics), Niemann (pitching instructor), Steve Turco (roving instructor), infield coordinator (Luis Aguayo), Travis Tartamella (catching instructor), Ludwick (hitting instructor), Isringhausen (pitching instructor).