Blue Jays announce Minor League appointments
The TORONTO BLUE JAYS announce the following additions to their minor league field staffs for the 2015 season. MIKE MORDECAI has assumed the role of Coordinator of Instruction for the minor league system, while DANNY SOLANO takes over as Roving Infield Coach. AARON MATHEWS returns to the organization after his playing career as hitting coach for Bluefield. FRED McGRIFF has accepted a consultant position with the Atlanta Braves organization. The five-time All-Star, tied with Lou Gehrig for 27th on the all-time HR list was in an advisory role with the Blue Jays in 2013-14.
MORDECAI, is promoted into the role of Coordinator of Instruction after five seasons serving as Minor League Infield Coordinator in the Blue Jays organization. Recognized for his contributions to the organization following the 2013 season, the two-time World Series Champion was awarded the Bobby Mattick Award for excellence in Player Development. Mike has been invaluable to many key Toronto infield prospects, developing their overall defensive game via his vast experience and dedication to his craft.
SOLANO, will serve as Roving Infield Coach for 2015. The San Cristobal, Dominican Republic native has been in the Blue Jays organization since 2007, primarily as a coach with the Gulf Coast squad. Solano was signed by the Blue Jays in 1996 and spent nine seasons playing in the minors as a middle infielder prior to joining the coaching ranks.
MATHEWS, joins the Blue Jays after spending seven seasons playing at all levels in the Blue Jays minor league system. Drafted by Toronto in 2004, the John Day, Oregon native posted a .282 career average with a .744 OPS. Mathews has spent the past two college seasons as an Undergraduate Assistant Coach at Oregon State University where he also played prior to being drafted.
A complete list of the Blue Jays 2015 player development staff is as follows:
MINOR LEAGUE COORDINATORS
Field Coordinator Doug Davis
Senior Advisor Rich Miller
Coordinator of Instruction Mike Mordecai
Pitching Coordinator Sal Fasano
Hitting Coordinator Mike Barnett
Outfield/Baserunning Coordinator Tim Raines
Senior Pitching Advisor Rick Langford
Rehab Pitching Coach Darold Knowles
Infield Coach Danny Solano
Hitting Coach Steve Springer
Athletic Training & Rehab Coordinator Jeffrey Stevenson
Asst. Athletic Training & Rehab Coordinator Jose Ministral
Strength & Conditioning Coordinator Donovan Santas
Asst. Strength & Conditioning Coordinator Scott Weberg
Equipment Manager Billy Wardlow
BUFFALO NEW HAMPSHIRE
Manager: Gary Allenson Manager: Bobby Meacham
Pitching: Randy St. Claire Pitching: Bob Stanley
Hitting: Richie Hebner Hitting: Stubby Clapp
Trainer: Voon Chong Trainer: Robert Tarpey
S and C: Jason Dowse S and C: Brian Pike
DUNEDIN LANSING
Manager: Omar Malave Manager: Ken Huckaby
Pitching: Vince Horsman Pitching: Jeff Ware
Hitting: John Tamargo Jr. Hitting: Kenny Graham
Trainer: Shawn McDermott Trainer: Drew MacDonald
VANCOUVER BLUEFIELD
Manager: John Schneider Manager: Dennis Holmberg
Pitching: Jim Czajkowski Pitching: Antonio Caceres
Hitting: Dave Pano Hitting: Aaron Mathews
Trainer: Reggie Mungrue Trainer: Julian Varela
GULF COAST
Manager: Cesar Martin
Pitching: Willie Collazo
Hitting: Paul Elliott
Trainer: Jon Woodworth
DSL
Field Coordinator: Pablo Cruz
Manager: Jose Mateo
Pitching Coach: Rafael Lazo
Hitting Coach: Carlos Villalobos
Coach: Julio Germosen
Trainer: Darwin Tavarez
Assistant Trainer: Ysidro Reyes
S&C Coach: Imbewer Alvarez
Assistant S&C Coach: Miguel Martinez