A's announce Minor League staff assignments

OAKLAND -- The A's on Tuesday announced their Minor League staff assignments for the 2014 season, which feature a handful of intriguing changes.

The majority of the coaching staff remains the same as last year, but former fan favorite Tommy Everidge, who was drafted by the A's in 2004 and played 24 games for them in 2009, will serve as hitting coach for short-season Class A Vermont in his coaching debut.

Also, the new manager of Vermont is former big league outfielder Dave Newhan, a 1995 A's Draft pick. Another former A's outfielder, Ryan Christenson, has been promoted from Class A Beloit to manager at Class A Stockton. John Wasdin, who pitched for the A's in 1995-96, is going with Christenson from Beloit to Stockton as pitching coach.

Rick Magnante assumes the managerial reins at Beloit after spending the previous three seasons at the helm of Vermont.

Another notable change is Marcus Jensen's promotion from manager of the A's Arizona Rookie League affiliate to Minor League roving hitting instructor, a role previously held by Todd Steverson, who recently departed the organization to become the White Sox hitting coach.

Meanwhile, Scott Emerson is set to return for his second consecutive season as Minor League roving pitching instructor, and Juan Navarrete will resume his role as Minor League roving infield instructor.

The coaching staff at Triple-A Sacramento remains unchanged, with manager Steve Scarsone returning for a second consecutive season alongside hitting coach Greg Sparks and pitching coach Rick Rodriguez.

At Double-A Midland, Aaron Nieckula is coming back as manager and Don Schulze is returning as pitching coach. Webster Garrison, who managed at Stockton this year, will return to Midland as hitting coach.