Longtime broadcaster Valle takes over Everett affiliate
New Class A skipper highlights announcement finalizing Seattle's Minor League staffs
The Mariners finalized the coaching staffs for their four short-season affiliates Wednesday, highlighted by the introduction of new Class A Everett manager Dave Valle.
Valle takes over the helm for Seattle's Northwest League affiliate after spending the last 16 seasons as a member of the Mariners' broadcast team. Valle, who also contributed as an MLB Network analyst over the past five seasons, played 13 Major League seasons from 1984-96, including 10 behind the plate for the Mariners from 1984-93.
Nasusel Cabrera, who also serves as the Mariners' Latin American pitching coordinator, will join Valle's staff as pitching coach after spending the past four seasons in the same role with Seattle's rookie-level Pulaski affiliate. Scott Steinman, entering his 19th season in the organization, will serve as the club's hitting coach and Shane Zdebiak joins the franchise as Everett's trainer.
Former Everett manager Rob Mummau will assume the same role for the Pulaski Mariners. Mummau, who managed Everett the past two seasons, is entering his 13th season with the organization, his fourth as a Minor League skipper. His staff will be comprised of pitching coach Jason Blanton, who previously worked with USA Baseball, hitting coach Brent Johnson and trainer Matt Corvo.
The Arizona League Mariners will be led by Darrin Garner for the second straight season. Garner, entering his 18th season with the franchise, will be joined by pitching coach Rich Dorman, coaches Andy Bottin and Jose Umbria, trainer Randy Roetter and performance coach Will Lindholm.
Claudio Almonte will serve as manager for the Mariners' Dominican Summer League club, while Russell Vasquez will fill the same role for Seattle's Venezuela Summer League team.
The Dominican staff will be rounded out by pitching coach Danielin Acevedo, coaches Francisco Gerez and Manelik Pimentel, trainer Leonardo Jimenez and field coordinator Freddy Tiburcio. As for the Venezuelan team, Carlos Hernandez will serve as the squad's pitching coach, while coaches Alex Delgado and Richard Paz, and trainers Johnny Molina and Luis Fermin comprise the rest of the staff.