Cubs unveil Minor League coordinators

CHICAGO -- The Cubs announced their Minor League coordinators for 2014, with Triple-A Iowa coach Mike Mason moving up to be an assistant to pitching coordinator Derek Johnson.

Johnson returns for his second year as the Cubs' Minor League pitching coordinator after 11 seasons at Vanderbilt University as the team's pitching coach.

Mason, who has spent the last six seasons at Iowa, has 22 years of coaching experience following a seven-year big league playing career with the Rangers (1982-87), Cubs (1987) and Twins ('88).

"He and I have developed a really good relationship, and I trust him and he's been a coordinator before," Johnson said of Mason. "It's just that experience he has in the game. It will help me get to the lower levels [in the Minor League system] a little bit more than maybe I was before. I think it'll be a real positive."

Johnson said Mason is a "very positive guy."

"He's got a great way about him," Johnson said. "You develop a trust, you know you can count on him, and he's a guy who has been a great organization guy for a number of years. You feel it's the right thing the organization will need."

Tim Cossins returns for his second season as the Minor League field and catching coordinator. The rest of his staff includes Anthony Iapoce, who begins his second year as a special assistant to the general manager and player development, overseeing the Minor League hitting program. Iapoce also will contribute to additional projects within the organization.

Jose Flores is back for his second season as Minor League infield coordinator, his 14th year as a coach or manager. Carmelo Martinez enters his 17th season in the Cubs' organization, and he will begin his second stint as the Latin American field coordinator. He had served as hitting coordinator for the Cubs' Class A, Rookie League and Dominican League teams last season.

Doug Jarrow will begin his seventh season as the Cubs' Minor League strength and conditioning coordinator, and the 2014 season marks Nick Frangella's 11th with the Cubs and first as head Minor League athletic training and performance coordinator.

This will be Chuck Baughman's 15th year with the Cubs and first as assistant athletic training coordinator. He spent the previous eight seasons as a rehabilitation coordinator.

Rick Tronerud returns for his 19th year with the Cubs and first as Minor League rehab pitching coordinator. He spent the previous 13 seasons with the Rookie League Mesa team, serving as the rehab pitching coach.

Rey Fuentes will begin his second season as coordinator of cultural education, overseeing all educational classes for the Cubs' Latin American players. Prior to joining the team, he coached and taught physical education in the Orlando area.