The coaching staffs for the Indians' top three affiliates will have a new look in 2019.
The Indians announced Tuesday that Tony Mansolino (Triple-A Columbus), Rouglas Odor (Double-A Akron) and Jim Pankovits (Class A Advanced Lynchburg) have all been promoted to managerial positions.
Mansolino, who is in his fourth year of managing, will be joined by pitching coach Rigo Beltran, hitting coach Andy Tracy and bench coach Kyle Hudson, all of whom are assuming new roles. This will be Tracy's first season in the Indians organization, having spent the past six years as the organizational hitting coordinator with the Phillies. Tracy, a Bowling Green, Ky., native, played 16 seasons of professional baseball, including some brief Major League stints with the Expos, Rockies and Phillies.
Odor, who managed Lynchburg in 2018, is entering his 29th year in the Indians' system, beginning as a shortstop in Cleveland's organization from 1988-94 before starting his coaching and managing career. The rest of his coaching staff also drew new assignments as Tony Arnold (pitching coach) and Justin Toole (hitting coach) were promoted from Class A Advanced and Juan DeLeCruz will step in as the bench coach. Former Double-A Akron hitting coach Kevin Howard has been promoted to hitting coordinator.
Pankovitz will head a new Lynchburg staff, including pitching coach Joe Torres, who was promoted from Class A Lake County, hitting coach Johnny Narron and bench coach Mike Merganthaler.
Luke Carlin remains the manager of Class A Lake County, alongside both newly appointed pitching coach Owen Dew and hitting coach Jason Esposito. The Indians also announced the hiring of Jordan Smith as Lake County's bench coach. Smith concluded his eight-year playing career at the end of 2018, including a seven-year stint in the Indians organization from 2011-17.
Additionally, Johnny Goryl returns in 2019 as an advisor to player development in his 69th season in professional baseball, including his 38th in the Indians organization.
Here are all of the Indians' Minor League coaching-staff assignments for the 2019 season:
Triple-A Columbus
Manager: Tony Mansolino
Pitching coach: Rigo Beltran
Hitting coach: Andy Tracy
Bench coach: Kyle Hudson
Strength/conditioning coach: Scott Nealon
Athletic trainer: Jeremy Heller
Double-A Akron
Manager: Rouglas Odor
Pitching coach: Tony Arnold
Hitting coach: Justin Toole
Bench coach: Juan De La Cruz
Strength/conditioning coach: Paul Synenkyj
Athletic trainer: Bobby Ruiz
Class A Advanced Lynchburg
Manager: Jim Pankovitz
Pitching coach: Joe Torres
Hitting coach: Johnny Narron
Bench coach: Mike Merganthaler
Strength/conditioning coach: Eric Ortego
Athletic trainer: Jake Legan
Class A Lake County
Manager: Luke Carlin
Pitching coach: Owen Dew
Hitting coach: Jason Esposito
Bench coach: Jordan Smith
Strength/conditioning coach: Travis Roberson
Athletic trainer: TBD
Class A Short-Season Mahoning Valley
Manager: Dennis Malave
Pitching coach: Jason Blanton
Hitting coach: Grant Fink
Bench coach: Omir Santos
Strength/conditioning coach: Juan Acevedo
Athletic trainer: Patrick Reynolds
Rookie-level Dominican Summer League 1
Manager: Jesus Taverez
Pitching coach: Jesus Sanchez
Hitting coach: Chris Smith
Bench coach: Carlos Fermin
Strength/conditioning coach: Luis Jiminez
Athletic trainer: Luis Estala
Rookie-level Arizona League 1
AZ Academy coordinator: Larry Day
Pitching coach: Joel Mangrum
Hitting coach: Jordan Becker
Bench coach: JT Maguire
Strength/conditioning coach: Cesar Yepez
Athletic trainer: Gabriel Garcia
Rookie-level Arizona League 2
Manager: Jerry Owens
Pitching coach: Mike Steele
Hitting coach: Junior Betances
Bench coach: Josh Stubbs
Strength/conditioning coach: Moises Cuevas
Athletic trainer: Matt Beauregard