Marlins shuffle Minor League development staff

MIAMI -- Many of the names in the Marlins' Minor League system are the same, but several will be taking on new roles in 2015.

The organization has made some changes in its development staff, with Charlie Corbell assuming the role of Minor League pitching coordinator. John Pierson, who spent part of 2013 as Miami's hitting coach, is now the hitting coordinator, and Andy Barkett is the new assistant hitting coordinator.

Corbell spent the past four seasons as the pitching coach at Triple-A New Orleans, while Barkett capped his fourth year managing Double-A Jacksonville with a Southern League championship. Pierson was the field coordinator.

Wayne Rosenthal, who spent 10 seasons as the pitching coordinator, will now be the rehab coordinator based at the Roger Dean Stadium complex in Jupiter, Fla. Jeff Schwartz moves from rehab coordinator to assistant pitching coordinator.

"We are doing a few things differently in the Minor Leagues," president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. "We've actually split our pitching coordinator role."

Rosenthal will handle the pitchers rehabbing in Jupiter. Schwartz's focus will be primarily on the lower-level prospects.

Miami's pipeline has improved in recent years, and the rewards are evident at the big league level. Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna and Jose Fernandez are among the homegrown talents making an impact. National League MVP Award finalist Giancarlo Stanton was a second-round pick in 2007.

There was a stretch where the talent pool was depleted, but it is starting to fill back up. Right now, the Marlins have more Minor League pitching depth than hitting.

Lefty Andrew Heaney, a first-round pick in 2012, will compete for a rotation spot in Spring Training. With the second overall pick in June, Miami selected hard-throwing prep standout Tyler Kolek.

Miami's revised staff enables Corbell to focus on the pitchers close to being big league ready, while Schwartz can look at the younger prospects like Kolek.

"Charlie will oversee the entire program," Hill said. "We did something similar with our hitting."

Pierson has spent 11 seasons in the organization. When Tino Martinez was dismissed during the 2013 season, Pierson was brought in to be his replacement. Pierson returned to his field coordinator position in '14.

Barkett will work closely with position players at the lower levels. At Jacksonville, he is credited for playing a big role in catcher J.T. Realmuto's progression.

Realmuto is considered to be a year or two away from being a big league regular.

Jeff Pentland, the hitting coordinator this year, is now a hitting consultant. A former big league hitting coach with the Dodgers, Mariners, Royals and Cubs, Pentland will work with players throughout the organization, and he will assist with the amateur scouting.