Yankees’ Farm Teams Announce Coaching Changes

In anticipation of the upcoming 2016 season, the New York Yankees have announced changes to the coaching staffs of their Minor League Affiliates.

Rookie League Pulaski Yankees:

In just their second season of play, the Pulaski Yankees will once again be managed by Tony Franklin who helped the team to a stellar inaugural season in 2015.

Franklin will be joined once again by Defensive Coach and Former Yankee Minor Leaguer Hector Rabago, Trainer Josh DiLoreto, Strength Coach Danny Russo and Hitting Coach Edwar Gonzalez.

There will be a change at pitching coach however, as Nick Avanzato will now take that position that was filled by Justin Pope in 2015.

Class A Charleston RiverDogs:

For the third straight season the RiverDogs will welcome back Luis Dorante as their skipper.  Travis Chapman is returning as the defensive coach for the RiverDogs and Jimmy Downam will be the team trainer for the third season.

After being a part of the Pulaski Yankees in 2015, Justin Pope will now be the pitching coach for Charleston. Another newcomer will be Greg Colbrunn who will now be the hitting coach.

Single- A Advanced Tampa Yankees:

Former Staten Island Yankee Manager Patrick Osbourn will now be the Manager of the Tampa Yankees.  Before managing in Staten Island he was also the Manager of the Gulf Coast League Yankees.

Former Yankee pitcher Tim Norton is now the Pitching Coach for the T-Yanks. Norton has had a lot of success in the Yankees Organization as a coach, working with Single-A Charleston, Staten Island and GCL.

Antonio Pacheco will now be the Defensive Coach for the Tampa Yankees, in just his second season as a coach; he previously coached the GCL in 2015.

Returning to the Tampa Yankees is Strength and Conditioning Coach Joe Siara, Athletic Trainer Michael Becker and Hitting Coach Tom Slater.

Double-A Trenton Thunder:

The Thunder also have a new Manager in former Major Leaguer Bobby Mitchell. While there are a few veterans on the staff, Mitchell will also be join by fellow newcomers as well.

JD Closer will now be Trenton’s new bullpen coach, he spent last season with the Tampa Yankees and the Defensive Coach will now be Justin Tordi, he spent last season with Triple-A Scranton.

Returning to the Trenton Thunder will be Athletic Trainer Lee Meyer, Hitting Coach P.J. Pilittere and Pitching Coach Jose Rosado.

Triple-A Scranton/ Wilkes Barre Railriders:

Almost the entire Railriders’ coaching staff is new for 2016 except for bullpen coach Jason Brown. Former Thunder and T-Yanks’ Manager Al Pedrique will now be the skipper for Scranton replacing Dave Miley.

Tommy Phelps is now the pitching coach for the Railriders. Phelps was the pitching coach for the Thunder until 2014 and then last year gained lots of praise as he helped former Yankee prospect, Rookie Davis (now a member of the Cincinnati Reds) have one of his best pro seasons as a member of the Tampa Yankees. Former Yankee Tommy Wilson is the new hitting coach for the Railriders, his first coaching position with the Yankees.