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The Royals announced their 2020 coaching staff under new manager Mike Matheny, and rejoining the staff will be Rusty Kuntz, who will reprise his role as first base coach. Kuntz held the position in 2008 and from 2012 until 2017, when he stepped down due to vision problems to take a role as a roving instructor. Mitch Maier, who had served as first base coach in 2018 and 2019, took a position this week in the front office.
In all honesty, the #Royals have just seemed less prepared since Rusty left the coaching staff. Some of that (maybe a lot even) is most definitely the lack of talent aiding that perception, but I do think he'll be a big benefit to the team on that front at least.
— David Lesky (@DBLesky) December 5, 2019
The Royals will have a new third base coach, with Vance Wilson moving to that role after serving as bullpen coach the last two years. Wilson interviewed for the managerial job and had managed in the minors for the Royals from 2010 to 2017. Pedro Grifol, who was also up for the managerial job, will serve as bench coach. Mike Jirschele, who had served as third base coach since 2014, will be reassigned. It was prevously announced that bench coach Dale Sveum would also take a position elsewhere in the organization.
Vance will get run at least once this year and it will be awesome. https://t.co/7MQfNgHeKs
— Clint Scoles (@ClintScoles) December 5, 2019
Pitching coach Cal Eldred and hitting coach Terry Bradshaw will both return for their second season with the club. Joining the staff are new bullpen coach Larry Carter, and John Mabry, who will serveas a “Major League coach” primarily working with infielders, according to MLB.com reporter Jeffrey Flanagan. Carter has worked in the organization since 1998, primarily as a minor league pitching coach, although he has spent the last five years as the club’s minor league pitching coordinator. Mabry was a Major League first baseman for 14 years and was a hitting coach with the Cardinals from 2012 until 2018, when he was dismissed with Matheny.