NewsContinuity a theme for KC's Minors staff
Managers will return for top four affiliates in 2010By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com
11/18/09 6:07 PM EST
KANSAS CITY -- The managers of the top four classification clubs in the Royals' Minor League organization will return for 2010.The Royals announced that Mike Jirschele will return for the eighth straight year and his 11th season overall as manager at Triple-A Omaha. Former Major League pitcher Doug Henry, who had been a roving coach, will be the new pitching coach and Tommy Gregg will return as hitting coach.
Brian Poldberg, who directed Double-A Northwest Arkansas to a second-half title in the Texas League, will be back for his third season with the Naturals. Also returning are pitching coach Larry Carter and hitting coach Terry Bradshaw.
Brian Rupp, after leading Class A Wilmington into the Carolina League playoffs, will return to the Blue Rocks along with pitching coach Steve Luebber and hitting coach Justin Gemoll.
Back for a sixth season at Class A Burlington, Iowa, will be manager Jim Gabella, who took the Bees to the Midwest League title series. Also returning are pitching coach Jerry Numan and hitting coach Omar Ramirez.
The new manager at rookie-level Idaho Falls will be former Major League outfielder Brian Buchanan. Joining him will be pitching coach Carlos Martinez and hitting coach Julio Bruno.
Returning to manage rookie-level Burlington, N.C., will be Nelson Liriano with Bobby St. Pierre as the pitching coach. A hitting coach has not yet been named.
Darryl Kennedy, who has managed at three other levels for the Royals, takes over the rookie club at Surprise, Ariz., with pitching coach Mark Davis, pitching/rehab coach Carlos Reyes, hitting coach Andre David and coach/scout Jon Williams.
Trainers will include Drew Van Dam at Omaha, Tony Medina at Northwest Arkansas, Dave Iannicca at Wilmington, Mark Stubblefield at Burlington, Iowa, Masa Koyanagi at Idaho Falls and Dale Gilbert at Surprise.
Doug Sisson will return for his third season as the Minor League field coordinator. Among those joining him will be former Royals first-base coach Rusty Kuntz, now special assistant to player development.
Tony Tijerina will be assistant field coordinator and catching coordinator. Other coordinators include: Bill Fischer, pitching; Jack Maloof, hitting; Luis Silverio, outfield; Mark Harris, infield; Quilvio Veras, baserunning and bunting; Chris DeLucia, medical; Ryan Stoneberg, strength and conditioning, and Tim Scheierman, rehab.
Dick Kaegel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
