D-backs announce 2017 player development staff
PHOENIX - The Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) named the organization's 2017 Player Development staff, as announced by D-backs Vice President, Player Development Mike Bell.
In 2017, the D-backs will be in their ninth season with the Triple-A Reno Aces, first with the Double-A Jackson Generals, 11th with the Single-A Advanced Visalia Rawhide, third with Single-A Kane County Cougars, fifth with the Short-Season A Hillsboro Hops, 19th with the Rookie-Advanced Missoula Osprey, seventh with the Rookie Arizona League (AZL) D-backs and 22nd with the Dominican Summer League (DSL) D-backs.
The D-backs return 6 of their coordinators with Luis Urueta being promoted to Field Coordinator after spending last season as the Short-Season Field Coordinator. Rolando Arnedo was promoted to Dominican Summer League Field Coordinator after working as the affiliate's Hitting and Outfield Coach the last 4 seasons. Gil Velazquez joins Arizona as the Infield Coordinator after coaching the last 2 seasons in the Dodgers' organization.
All but 1 of the D-backs' affiliates will feature a new field manager in 2017, with DSL D-backs skipper Juan Francia being the lone returner. Jerry Narron (Reno) and Butch Hobson (Kane County) are newcomers to Arizona's organization and both have experience managing at the Major League level. J.R. House, who spent the last 2 seasons in Visalia, will take over in Jackson, Shelley Duncan is the new manager in Visalia after spending the last 2 years in Hillsboro, and Mike Benjamin, who led Kane County last season, is the new skipper in Missoula. Shawn Roof (Hillsboro) and Javier Colina (AZL D-backs) were promoted to manager after serving in various coaching capacities last season.
The D-backs will return 17 coaches and have added 2 new coaches, as Shane Loux will be the Pitching Coach and Micah Franklin will be the Hitting Coach in Missoula.