The St. Louis Cardinals announced today their 2018 minor league coaching staffs for their affiliate teams in addition to their player development personnel for the upcoming season. The Cardinals Farm System finished 4th among all teams in overall winning pct. (.546; 410-341) in 2017, winning league titles at Memphis (Pacific Coast League) and Palm Beach (co-winner in Florida State League).
The Cardinals have retained the incumbent managers for seven of their minor league affiliates, but there will be new pitching coaches at six of their affiliates. In addition, the team has announced seven new hitting coach assignments for 2018.
Stubby Clapp, the Baseball America Manager of the Year for 2017, returns for his second season at Memphis (AAA), while Johnny Rodriguez (Springfield -AA), Dann Bilardello (Palm Beach --A), Chris Swauger (Peoria -- A), Joe Kruzel (State College -- A), Roberto Espinosa (Johnson City -- R) and Fray Peniche (Dominican Summer League 1) also return to pilot their respective teams.
Several of the team's Field Instructors have been retained, however Randy Niemann will move into a new role as Minor League Pitching Instructor, Steve Turco will serve as Minor League Roving Instructor and former Cardinals All-Stars Ryan Ludwick (Minor League Hitting Instructor) and Jason Isringhausen (Minor League Pitching Instructor) have joined the Field Staff for 2018.
The Cardinals also announced that Melody Yount is joining the Baseball Operations staff as Manager of Player Communications, and that Jennifer Long has been named Baseball Developer and Javier Duren will serve as a Baseball Operations Fellow.
The following is a complete listing of the Cardinals 2018 Minor League Staffs and Player Development assignments:
Memphis (AAA) -- Stubby Clapp* -- Dernier Orozco^ -- Mark Budaska
Springfield (AA) -- Johnny Rodriguez* -- Darwin Marrero^ -- Jimenez*
Palm Beach (A) -- Dann Bilardello* -- Will Ohman -- Brandon Allen^
Peoria (A) -- Chris Swauger* -- Cale Johnson^ -- Russ Chambliss
State College (A) -- Joe Kruzel* -- Adrian Martin^ -- Roger LaFrancois^
Johnson City (R) -- Roberto Espinoza* -- Rick Harig -- Cody Gabella^
GCL Cardinals (R) -- Erick Almonte^ -- Giovanni Carrara* -- Joshua Lopez
DSL Cardinals 1 -- Fray Peniche* -- Billy Villanueva* -- Jose Leon
DSL Cardinals 2 -- John Matos^ -- TBD -- Nabo Martinez
2018 Cardinals Minor League Field Instructors
Field Coordinator -- Mark DeJohn*
Assistant Field Coordinator -- Ron "Pop" Warner*
Dominican Republic Field Coordinator -- Jose Leger
Senior Pitching Coordinator -- Tim Leveque*
Minor League Offensive Strategist -- George Greer*
Manager/Pitching Analytics -- Paul Davis^
Minor League Pitching Instructor -- Randy Niemann^
Minor League Roving Instructor -- Steve Turco^
Minor League Infield Coordinator -- Luis Aguayo^
Minor League Catching Instructor -- Travis Tartamella*
Minor League Hitting Instructor -- Ryan Ludwick^
Minor League Pitching Instructor -- Jason Isringhausen^
*-Returning Manager/Coach
^-Returning Manager/Coach with new assignment