Royals announce minor league coaching staffs

The Royals have announced their minor league coaching staffs for the 2016 season. Brian Poldberg returns for his third season as manager of the Omaha Stormchasers (AAA). Poldberg won a AAA championship in 2014 and previously managed the Northwest Arkansas Naturals for six seasons. Poldberg has spent over 20 years in the Royals organization.

Tommy Gregg returns as the hitting coach for Omaha for his seventh season. This will be Gregg's tenth season in the Royals organization after coaching in the Cardinals and Braves systems. Gregg was a nine-year Major League role player, primarily with the Braves.

Andy Hawkins joins the Omaha coaching staff as the new pitching coach after spending the last seven years as the bullpen coach for the Texas Rangers. Hawkins is a ten-year veteran who on 84 games in the big leagues who is perhaps best known for throwing a no-hitter and losing. Hawkins replaces Al Nipper, who joined the Tigers organization.

Vance Wilson returns for his third season of managing the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (AA). Wilson has coached with the Royals ever since retiring in 2010. He previously managed the Kane County Cougars in A ball. Steve Luebber is his new pitching coach, replacing Jim Brower who joined the Cubs organization. Luebber, a Clinton, Missouri native, has coached with the Royals since 2006, serving as pitching coach of the Wilmington Blue Rocks since 2007. Brian Buchanan joins the staff as hitting coach, replacing Brandon Moore. Buchanan had managed the Wilmington Blue Rocks in 2015.

Jamie Quirk re-joins the Royals to manage the Wilmington Blue Rocks (High A). Quirk was on the Royals Major League coaching staff from 1994-2001, serving as bullpen coach and bench coach, at one-time considered a managerial candidate. Last year he managed the top minor league affiliate for the San Diego Padres. Quirk was drafted by the Royals in 1972 and spent 18 years in the Major Leagues. Abraham Nunez stays on as hitting coach with Charlie Corbell coming over from the Marlins organization to serve as pitching coach.

Omar Ramirez will skipper the Lexington Legends (Low A) in 2016 for the second consecutive year. Ramirez has coached with the Royals since 2008. Glenn Hubbard will serve as bench coach for the third consecutive year. Mitch Stetter is the new pitching coach after serving the Arizona Rookie League team last year. Damon Hollins returns as hitting coach.

The Idaho Falls Chukars (Advanced Rookie) will retain their entire staff. Justin Gemoll returns as skipper, with hitting coach Andre David and pitching coach Jeff Suppan. David once served as hitting coach for the Major League club, and Suppan pitched for the Royals from 1998-2002.

Scott Thorman returns to manage for his second year with the Burlington Royals (Rookie). He retains his coaching staff with Carlos Martinez returning as pitching coach in his fourteenth season with the Royals, and Jesus Azauje serving as hitting coach.

Darryl Kennedy returns as manager of the Royals Arizona Rookie League club. Former Royals reliever Mark Davis returns as one of the pitching coaches with Carlos Reyes along with hitting coaches Nelson Liriano and Willie Aikens.