D-backs announce 2019 player development staff
The Arizona Diamondbacks named the organization's 2019 Player Development staff, including new managers with all 9 D-backs' affiliates.
In 2019, the D-backs will be in their 11th season with the Triple-A Reno Aces, third with the Double-A Jackson Generals, 13th with the Single-A Advanced Visalia Rawhide, fifth with Single-A Kane County Cougars, seventh with the Short-Season A Hillsboro Hops, 21st with the Rookie-Advanced Missoula Osprey, ninth with the Rookie Arizona League (AZL) D-backs and 24th with the Dominican Summer League (DSL) D-backs.
Notable changes include:
• Coordinators: Joe Mather will be in his first season as field & hitting coordinator…Jonny Gomes will be in his first season as the outfield/baserunning coordinator…Gil Heredia will be in his first season as the Short-Season pitching coordinator…Mark Reed will be in his first season as rehab & catching coach.
• Triple-A Reno: Chris Cron will be in his first season as manager of the Aces after spending the last 5 seasons (2014-18) as the organization's Minor League hitting coordinator…Jeff Bajenaru (pitching) joins the staff and Greg Gross, who was the manager for Reno for the last 2 seasons (2017-18), will serve as a coach.
• Double-A Jackson: Blake Lalli will be in his first season as manager of the Generals…Rick Short (hitting) and Jorge Cortés (coach) will join the staff, while Doug Drabek will return for his fourth consecutive season as the Double-A pitching coach.
• Single-A Advanced Visalia: Shawn Roof will be in his first season as manager of the Rawhide…Shane Loux (pitching), Travis Denker (hitting) and Nick Evans (coach) join the staff.
• Single-A Kane County: Vince Harrison will be in his first season as Manager of the Cougars…Mike Parrott (pitching), Micah Franklin (hitting) and Carlos Mesa (coach) will serve on the staff.
• Short-Season A Hillsboro: Javier Colina will be in his first season as manager of the Hops…Barry Enright (pitching), Franklin Stubbs (hitting) and Hatuey "Chuy" Mendoza (coach) join the staff.
• Rookie-Advanced Missoula: Juan Francia will be in his first season as manager of the Osprey…Manny García (pitching) and KC Judge (hitting) will join the staff and Mike Benjamin, who was the manager in 2018, will serve as a coach.
• Rookie AZL D-backs: Wellington Cepeda will be in his first season as manager of the AZL D-backs…Rich Sauveur (pitching), José Amado (hitting) will join the staff, and Darrin Garner, who was the manager in 2018, will serve as a coach.
• Rookie DSL D-backs: Ronald Ramírez and Jaime Del Valle will manage the 2 DSL affiliates.