A's announce 2016 Minor League staff
OAKLAND -- The A's have finalized their 2016 Minor League coaching staff, making it official Monday with an announcement that includes the hiring of two new coordinators: Gil Patterson as Minor League pitching coordinator and Jim Eppard as Minor League hitting coordinator.
Juan Navarrete, entering his 22nd season with the A's, will be back as the Minor League defensive coordinator, while Craig Lefferts and Aaron Nieckula assume their roles as Minor League rehab pitching coordinator and Minor League field coordinator, respectively. Nieckula will also manage the A's short-season club at Vermont.
The highly regarded Patterson returns to the A's organization after spending each of the previous three seasons with the Yankees in a similar role. He previously served as the A's Minor League roving pitching instructor from 2008-12 after coaching in the organization's farm system.
Eppard comes to the A's from the Angels, for whom he served as assistant hitting coordinator the past two years after a two-year stint as hitting coach at the big league level.
Triple-A Nashville will welcome back Steve Scarsone for his second season at the helm. Former A's bullpen coach Rick Rodriguez will be Scarsone's pitching coach, after holding that role with Class A Advanced Stockton last year. Eric Martins will act as hitting coach.
At the Double-A level, Ryan Christenson returns as manager after guiding the Midland RockHounds to their second consecutive Texas League championship this year. His staff includes John Wasdin as pitching coach and Brian McArn as hitting coach.
Rick Magnante assumes the managerial reins at Stockton beside new Ports pitching coach Steve Connelly. Former Athletic Tommy Everidge will be the hitting coach.
Class A Beloit will see manager Fran Riordan return for a second straight season. He'll be joined by pitching coach Don Schulze and hitting coach Juan Dilone.
Nieckula's staff in Vermont includes Carlos Chavez as pitching coach and Lloyd Turner as hitting coach. The A's affiliate in the Arizona Fall League, meanwhile, will be managed by Webster Garrison, who last managed at Stockton in 2013 and has spent 23 seasons in the organization. Ruben Escalera will be his hitting coach, and Gabe Ortiz will be a coach on his staff as well.