Cubs hire Iapoce as special assistant to GM

CHICAGO -- The Cubs named Anthony Iapoce special assistant to the general manager/player development, and he will serve as the team's Minor League hitting coordinator.

Iapoce, 39, who worked the last three years as the roving hitting coordinator for the Blue Jays, also will contribute to other projects with the Cubs.

He played 11 seasons in the Minor Leagues with the Brewers and Marlins organizations after Milwaukee selected him in the 33rd round of the 1994 First-Year Player Draft, and batted .273 in 845 professional games.

Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said Iapoce was recommended by player development director Brandon Hyde and Minor League field coordinator Tim Cossins. James Rowson was the Cubs' Minor League hitting coordinator last season, but was promoted to the big league team as interim hitting coach in June when Rudy Jaramillo was dismissed. The interim label was removed last month, and Rowson will be on manager Dale Sveum's staff in 2013.