Royals announce 2017 minor league coaching staffs

The Royals will retain much of their minor league coaching staff as they announced coaching assignments for the 2017 season. Brian Poldberg returns as manager of the Omaha Stormchasers for the fourth year, where he has a 204-189 record, including the 2014 Triple-A championship. Poldberg has been in the organization since 1988.

Also returning is Vance Wilson to manager the Northwest Arkansas Naturals for the fourth consecutive season. Wilson joined the Royals in 2011 after an eight-year Major League career as a catcher, mostly with the Mets. Joining the Royals organization is Leon Roberts, who will serve as the new hitting coach at Northwest Arkansas. Roberts replaces Brian Buchanan who was promoted to the Major League coaching staff. Roberts had spent the last five seasons in the Astros organization, and played for the Royals in 1983-1984 as an outfielder.

Longtime fan favorite Jaime Quirk returns for his second year of running the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Scott Thorman gets a promotion to manage the club at Lexington after managing the Burlington club last year. Justin Gemoll manages the Idaho Falls Chukars for a third consecutive year joined by former Royals pitcher Jeff Suppan, who will serve as the Chukars pitching coach.

Darryl Kennedy will manage the Arizona Summer League team while Miguel Bernard will run the Dominican team. The Royals will also retain aa number of minor league coordinators and rovers, including Chino Cadahia, Eddie Rodriguez, Bill Fischer, John Wathan, Harry Spilman, Cal Eldred, Larry Carter, Terry Bradshaw, Rafael Belliard, Mitch Maier, and J.C. Boscan.

2017 Royals Coaching Staffs

Omaha Stormchasers (AAA)

Manager: Brian Poldberg

Pitching coach: Andy Hawkins

Hitting coach: Tommy Gregg

Northwest Arkansas Naturals (AA)

Manager: Vance Wilson

Pitching coach: Steve Luebber

Hitting coach: Leon Roberts

Wilmington Blue Rocks (High A)

Manager: Jaime Quirk

Pitching coach: Charlie Corbell

Hitting coach: Abaraham Nunez

Lexington Legends (Low A)

Manager: Scott Thorman

Pitching coach: Mitch Stetter

Hitting coach: Jesus Azuaje

Bench coach: Glenn Hubbard

Idaho Falls Chukars (Advanced Rookie)

Manager: Justin Gemoll

Pitching coach: Jeff Suppan

Hitting coach: Damon Hollins

Burlington Royals (Low Rookie)

Manager: Omar Ramirez

Pitching coach: Carlos Martinez

Hitting coach: Andre David

Arizona Summer League (Rookie)

Manager: Darryl Kennedy

Pitching coaches: Mark Davis, Carlos Reyes

Hitting coaches: Nelson Liriano, Willie Aikens

Dominican Summer League (Dominican)

Manager: Miguel Bernard

Field Coordinator Victor Vaez

Pitching coach: Gustavo Martinez

Hitting coaches: Onil Joseph, Jose Gualdron

Infield coaches: Ramon Mratinez, Sergio de Luna

Other coaches: Rafael Rijo, Pedro Rosario