Meet Detroit's Minor League coaches for 2024
This story was excerpted from Jason Beck's Tigers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
A quarter-century after Gabe Alvarez was a promising young third baseman for the Tigers, the former USC All-American has developed into a rising star in the coaching ranks.
Alvarez’s two seasons managing at Double-A Erie have produced two trips to the Eastern League finals, including the first EL title in SeaWolves history last fall. He’ll be back at UPMC Park this coming season with another group of prospects to try for a repeat.
The Tigers announced their Minor League coaching staffs on Monday, including a formal announcement of Alvarez’s return. The 49-year-old was a candidate to join manager A.J. Hinch’s staff in Detroit, but once the Tigers hired veteran third-base coach Joey Cora, a return to Erie was the logical move.
Alvarez will be just the third manager to lead the SeaWolves for three consecutive seasons, and the first since Lance Parrish led them from 2014 to 2017. He’s the only SeaWolves manager with a winning record across multiple seasons.
More important than wins and losses, however, are the players Alvarez has helped develop. Among the current Tigers who have played under Alvarez are Kerry Carpenter, Parker Meadows, Reese Olson, Sawyer Gipson-Long, Brendan White and Andre Lipcius. Prospects Colt Keith, Jace Jung, Dillon Dingler, Wenceel Pérez, Wilmer Flores, Ty Madden and Keider Montero will be looking to join them sometime this year.
Also back for another season managing in the Tigers' system is Andrew Graham, who returns to Single-A Lakeland after leading the Flying Tigers last summer to their first playoff berth since 2012.
Here’s a look at the coaching staffs for the stateside affiliates:
Triple-A Toledo: Tim Federowicz -- who spent last season as a catching coach on Hinch’s staff in Detroit -- takes over as Mud Hens manager. It’s his second managerial assignment; he led Tacoma in the Mariners organization in 2022. Federowicz replaces Anthony Iapoce, who will be the Tigers’ first-base coach. Hitting coach Mike Hessman and pitching coaches Doug Bochtler and Ollie Kadey return, while Tim Garland jumps from West Michigan to serve as bench coach. Phil Hartt returns as strength coach. Chris McNeely is the new athletic trainer.
Double-A Erie: Pitching coach Juan Pimentel and bench coach Matt Malott return to Alvarez’s staff, with hitting coach CJ Wamsley and strength coach Paul Synenkyj promoted from West Michigan. Bruce Hietpas is the new athletic trainer, promoted from the Dominican Summer League.
High-A West Michigan: Tony Cappuccilli, who served as the Mud Hens’ bench coach last year, gets a managerial opportunity with the Whitecaps. He’ll be joined by returning pitching coach Dan Ricabal and new associate pitching coach Collin Murray. Francisco Contreras, a Whitecaps infielder in 2014 and 2015, returns to West Michigan as hitting coach. Justin Wagler and Kevin Kleis are the new athletic trainer and strength coach, respectively.
Single-A Lakeland: Graham will have his hitting and pitching coaches back in Nick Bredeson and Nick Green, respectively, while Rene Rivera joins the staff as bench coach. Erick Flores and Dax Fiore return as athletic trainer and strength coach.
Rookie-level FCL Tigers: Salvador Paniagua has been promoted from bench coach to manager, joined by pitching coaches Willians Moreno and Tyler Anderson (not to be confused with the current Angels pitcher) and hitting coaches Chase Glaum and Rafael Gil. Nick Wheeler is the trainer, and Tyler Gniadek the strength coach.