The Arizona Diamondbacks named Minor League Pitching Coordinator Dan Carlson the recipient of the Joe Garagiola Jr. Award, Area Scout Kerry Jenkins the recipient of the Roland Hemond Award, and Professional Scout and Independent League Scouting Coordinator Chris Carminucci the recipient of the Kevin Towers Award. Additionally, members of the 2018 Southern League champion Double-A Jackson Generals will receive their championship rings.
Carlson is the recipient of the award presented annually to the individual in player development who exemplifies the qualities of strong character, dedication to the D-backs’ organization and commitment to excellence in the area of instruction. The 2019 season will be his sixth as pitching coordinator, 18th season in a coaching capacity with the D-backs and 21st in Arizona’s organization. Prior to his current role, he served as a pitching coach for 12 seasons with Rookie-Level Missoula (2002), Single-A South Bend (2003), Single-A Adv. Lancaster (2004), Double-A Tennessee (2005-06), Double-A Mobile (2007, ’10-13) and Short-Season A Yakima (2008-09).
Jenkins is the recipient of the award presented annually to the individual in scouting who exemplifies the qualities of strong character, dedication to the D-backs’ organization and an unfailing work ethic in the search for championship-level talent. Jenkins is in his sixth season with the D-backs, and his fifth as an area scout in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee after starting with the organization as a member of the scout ahead program in 2014. He was responsible for signing 4 of Arizona’s draft picks in 2018: Travis Moths (seventh round), INF Zack Shannon (15th), RHP Erin Baldwin (20th) and INF David Garza (38th).
Carminucci is the winner of the inaugural Kevin Towers Award, which is given annually to the D-backs’ professional scout who exemplifies the characteristics displayed by “KT.” Carminucci is in his sixth season with the D-backs, all in a professional scouting role, after spending 8 seasons working in independent baseball, most recently on the Can-Am League’s Board of Directors from 2011-13. He is notably responsible for the D-backs signing David Peralta in 2013 after seeing him play for the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings of the independent United League.
The Jackson Generals won their first Southern League title as a D-backs affiliate (since 2017) and second SL title in the last 3 seasons (also 2016 as the Mariners).