CLEVELAND -- The state of the Indians' farm system has continued to improve in recent seasons, providing a solid pipeline for the American League-champion Tribe. Both via the Draft and trades, Cleveland's player development system has done its part to strengthen the Major League club.
On Tuesday, the Indians announced their 2017 staffing for their player development department, which includes some changes to the farm system's managerial structure. Chris Tremie will return for his fifth season as the manager for Triple-A Columbus, but four affiliates will have new managers for the upcoming season.
With Dave Wallace -- former Double-A Akron manager -- moving into a new role (Minor League special assignment coordinator), there was a ripple effect down the organizational ladder. Mark Budzinski will man the Double-A club after being at the helm of Class A Advanced Lynchburg, while Tony Mansolino will take over Lynchburg after holding that role with Class A Lake County.
Larry Day, who previously worked as a hitting coach for Lynchburg, will now serve as the manager for Lake County. Former Indians catcher Luke Carlin -- a veteran of 14 professional seasons and MLB stints with the Padres, D-backs and Tribe -- will manage Class A Short-Season Mahoning Valley.
In 2016, all four of Cleveland's full-season affiliates finished with a winning record for the second straight season, posting a .533 overall winning percentage. Columbus, Akron and Lynchburg each took home division titles, with the Double-A RubberDucks claiming the Eastern League championship.
Here is a look at Cleveland's player development staff for 2017:
Director, Player Development: James Harris
Assistant Director, Player Development: Alex Eckelman
Assistant Director, Player Development: Matt Blake
Director, Administration: Wendy Hoppel
Administrative Assistant: Nilda Taffanelli
FIELD STAFF
Field Coordinator: Tom Wiedenbauer
Assistant Field Coordinator: Julio Rangel
Performance Coordinator: Todd Kubacki
Pitching Coordinator: Ruben Niebla
Lower-Level Pitching Coordinator: Mark Allen
Hitting Coordinator: Jim Rickon
Infield Coordinator: John McDonald
Cultural Development: Bruce Chen
Pitching Programs and Rehab: Ken Knutson
Strength and Conditioning: Ed Subel
Rehab Coordinator: Andrew Pipken
Latin American Strength and Conditioning: Nelson Perez
Affiliate Strength and Conditioning Staff: Juan Acevado
Affiliate Strength and Conditioning Staff: Scott Nealon
Affiliate Strength and Conditioning Staff: Paul Synenkj
Affiliate Strength and Conditioning Staff: Hasani Torres
Performance Coach: Ceci Clark
Performance Coach: Brian Miles
Performance Coach: Oscar Gutierrez
Special Assignment: Wallace
Special Assistant: Travis Fryman
Special Assistant: Robby Thompson
Advisor: Johnny Goryl
Advisor: Minnie Mendoza
Advisor: Tim Tolman
TRIPLE-A COLUMBUS
Manager: Tremie
Pitching Coach: Steve Karsay
Hitting Coach: Rouglas Odor
Bench Coach: Jerry Owens
Athletic Trainer: Chad Wolfe
DOUBLE-A AKRON
Manager: Budzinski
Pitching Coach: Tony Arnold
Hitting Coach: Johnny Narron
Bench Coach: Omir Santos
Athletic Trainer: Jeremy Heller
CLASS A ADVANCED LYNCHBURG
Manager: Mansolino
Pitching Coach: Rigo Beltran
Hitting Coach: Kevin Howard
Bench Coach: TBD
Athletic Trainer: Bobby Ruiz
CLASS A LAKE COUNTY
Manager: Day
Pitching Coach: TBD
Hitting Coach: Justin Toole
Bench Coach: Junior Betances
Athletic Trainer: Matt Beauregard
CLASS A SHORT-SEASON MAHONING VALLEY
Manager: Carlin
Pitching Coach: TBD
Hitting Coach: Pete Lauritson
Bench Coach: Grant Fink
Athletic Trainer: Jake Legan
ARIZONA LEAGUE INDIANS
Manager: Anthony Medrano
Pitching Coach: Joe Torres
Hitting Coach: Dennis Malave
Hitting Coach: Bobby Magallanes
Athletic Trainer: Ted Blackwell
DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE INDIANS
Field Coordinator: Jose Mejia
Pitching Coach: Jesus Sanchez
Pitching Coach: Carlos Jan
Hitting Coach: Freddy Tiburcio
Infield Coach: Carlos Fermin
OF/Baserunning Coach: Jesus Tavarez
Tryout Coach: Reyful Moreno
Strength and Conditioning: Moises Cuevas
Strength and Conditioning Assistant: Fernando Cabral
Athletic Trainers: Gabriel & Edwin Garcia