Seattle Mariners Announce Minor League Coaching Staff Along with Minor League Coordinators - MLB

MLN Newswire – mlntherawfeed.com - Seattle Mariners Director of Player Development Greg Hunter announced today the Mariners Minor League Coaching Staff for the 2008 season. The Mariners also named their Minor League Coordinators for next season.

"With our entire staff what we tried to do was to bring in solid character guys who were good instructors and willing to work," Hunter said. "They are solid guys, good baseball men, great people and all have a work ethic that will continue to improve the organization. Our goal is to prepare the players for the Major Leagues, and the coaching staff is going to be a big part of that."

Daren Brown, enters his second season at the helm of the Seattle's Triple-A affiliate, the Tacoma Rainiers. In his eighth season in the Mariners organization, he has also managed at San Antonio, Inland Empire and Wisconsin. Brown's staff will consist of coach Alonzo Powell, in his first season with the Rainiers and pitching coach Dwight Bernard, who is entering his third season. Tom Newberg, in his 22nd season in the Mariners organization, will be the club's trainer.

Scott Steinmann will begin his first season as manager of the Mariners Double-AA affiliation, the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx.  Steinmann enters his 11th season in the Mariners organization and fourth as manager, including managing the High Desert Mavericks in 2007.  His staff includes coach Phil Plantier, who enters his first season with the Mariners organization and pitching coach Scott Budner, who begins his seventh season in the organization.  Trainer Jeremy Clipperton enters his second season with the team and eighth in the organization.

Jim Horner will begin his first season as manager of the Mariners Single-A affiliate, the High Desert Mavericks, in the California League.   Horner enters his fourth season in the Mariners organization, including managing the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 2007. His staff includes pitching coach Lance Painter coach Tommy Cruz. 

Terry Pollreisz enters his first season as manager of the Single-A affiliate, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Pollreisz enters his 11th season with the Mariners, including spending the last four seasons as coach of the Tacoma Rainiers.  Coach Rafael Santo Domingo and trainer Matt Toth round out the staff.

Jose Moreno, who managed the Peoria Mariners team last season, begins his first season at the helm of the Everett AquaSox in the Northwest League. The Mariners dominated the league from start to finish posting the best overall record at 37-19 and winning the 2007 Arizona League Championship. Moreno's staff will consist of coach Henry Cotto, in his second season with the AquaSox and pitching coach Nasusel Cabrera, who is in his first season with Everett. Spyder Webb will return for his 30th season as trainer in the Mariners' organization. 

Gary Thurman, who split last season as the Minor League Outfield/Baserunning coach and the Mariners first base coach, begins his first season at the helm of the Peoria Mariners in the Arizona League. Pitching coach Gary Wheelock enters his 16th season in the Mariners organization and his first with Peoria after spending last season coaching in Everett.   Rounding out the Peoria staff are coach Andy Bottin and trainer Randy Roetter, both entering their seventh season with Peoria.

Manager Jose Guillen, coach Francisco Gerez, strength coach Joel Guerrero and trainer Jose E. Sanchez Fabian will comprise the Mariners Dominican Summer League coaching staff.  While manager Russell Vasquez, pitching coach Jesus Hernandez, coaches Jesus Azuaje and William Oropeza and trainer Juan Yepez will coach the Mariners Venezuela Summer League team.

Here is the entire list of the 2008 Player Development staff:

Roving Instructors:
Coordinator of Instruction:            Pedro Grifol
Trainer Coordinator:                Mickey Clarizio
Strength & Conditioning Coordinator:    James Clifford
Infield Coordinator:                Darrin Garner
Catching & Asst. Field Coordinator:        Roger Hansen
Special Assistant, Pitching Development:    Dave Wallace
Hitting Instructor:                Jose Castro
Outfield/Baserunning Coordinator        Mike Tosar

Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers:
Manager:                    Daren Brown
Pitching Coach:                Dwight Bernard
Coach:                        Alonzo Powell
Trainer:                     Tom Newberg

Double-A West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx:
Manager:                    Scott Steinmann
Pitching Coach:                Scott Budner
Coach:                        Phil Plantier
Trainer:                    Jeremy Clipperton   

Single-A High Desert Mavericks:
Manager:                    Jim Horner
Pitching Coach:                Lance Painter
Coach:                        Tommy Cruz
Trainer:                     TBD

Single-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers:
Manager:                    Terry Pollreisz
Pitching Coach:                TBD
Coach:                        Rafael Santo Domingo
Trainer:                     Matt Toth

Single-A Everett AquaSox:
Manager:                    Jose Moreno
Pitching Coach:                Nasusel Cabrera
Coach:                        Henry Cotto
Trainer:                    Spyder Webb

Rookie Peoria Mariners:
Manager:                    Gary Thurman
Pitching Coach:                Gary Wheelock
Coach:                        Andy Bottin
Trainer:                     Randy Roetter
Physical Therapist:                Sean McQueeney
Clubhouse Mgr.:                Ryan Stiles   

Dominican Summer League:
Manager:                     Jose Guillen
Pitching Coach:                 TBD
Coach:                     Francisco Gerez
Trainer:                     Jose E. Sanchez Fabian 
Strength Coach:                 Joel Guerrero

Venezuela Summer League
Manager:                     Russell Vasquez
Pitching coach:                 Jesus Hernandez
Coach:                     Jesus Azuaje
Coach:                     William Oropeza
Trainer:                     Juan Yepez
Clubhouse:                     Melvin Piedra & A. Parga

Subscribe TODAY and use the code BMR for 50% Holiday Savings off of the $11.99 annual subscription price!!!