Orioles set minor league staff for 2014 season

The Orioles have announced their minor league managers and coaching staff assignments for the 2014 season. All four full-season managers return to the organization, although Luis Pujols moves from Single-A Delmarva to Single-A Frederick and Ryan Minor moves from Frederick to Delmarva. Ron Johnson returns for his third season as manager at Triple-A Norfolk and Gary Kendall will manage for the fourth season at Double-A Bowie. Former Oriole Alan Mills, the pitching coach last season at short-season Single-A Aberdeen, moves to Delmarva and Justin Lord will be pitching coach at Aberdeen after working at Delmarva in 2013. Here are the manager/coaching assignments: Norfolk: Manager Ron Johnson, pitching coach Mike Griffin, hitting coach Denny Walling, coach Jose Hernandez, trainer Mark Shires, strength coach Ryo Naito. Bowie: Manager Gary Kendall, pitching coach Blaine Beatty, coach Butch Davis, trainer Aaron Scott, strength coach Pat Armstrong. Frederick: Manager Luis Pujols, pitching coach Kennie Steenstra, coach Torre Tyson, trainer Pat Wesley, strength coach Chris Cecere. Delmarva: Manager Ryan Minor, pitching coach Alan Mills, coach Paco Figueroa, trainer Trek Schuler, strength coach Trevor Howell. Aberdeen: Manager Matt Merullo, pitching coach Justin Lord, trainer Chris Poole, strength coach Kevin Clark. Gulf Coast League: Manager Orlando Gomez, pitching coach Wilson Alvarez, hitting coach Milt May, coach Ramon Sambo, trainer Greg Svarczkopf. The Orioles will again field two teams in the Dominican Summer League and they will be managed by Elvis Morel and Nelson Norman, the club's director of Dominican Republic baseball operations. They will be assisted by pitching coaches Robert Perez and Dionis Pascual and coaches Benny Adames hitting), Ramon Caraballo (field supervisor), Ramon Lubo (catching) and Ruben Francisco (field coach). Ludovino Marte will serve as athletic trainer for the DSL club. Beginning their first seasons with the organization will be former Oriole Jeff Manto, the minor league hitting coordinator and Dave Anderson as the club's minor league infield instructor. Brian Graham begins his second season as director of player development and Kent Qualls begins his second season as director of minor league operations. Rick Peterson returns for his third season as director of pitching development. Oriole Hall of Famer Mike Bordick will serve as a special assignment instructor. Minor returns to Delmarva, where he managed from 2010 to 2012. Graham talked about the reasons for the manager switch with Pujols moving to Frederick and Minor back to the Shorebirds. "It is real simple," Graham said. "We are matching our staff up with the players we anticipate going to each level. It really takes into consideration Matt Merullo, Ryan Minor and Luis Pujols. We feel like Ryan Minor will be the best match for the kids we have coming to Delmarva and Luis Pujols is best match for the kids we have coming to Frederick and Matt Merullo is the best match for that level for 2014. It really has to do with matching the players with the best manager for that group. "I like the fact we have a whole bunch of good coaches and managers returning. Continuity is extremely important. When you talk about developing a culture it's about the people that you have working and the process you have in place." The Orioles will have about 25 minor league players report to their Twin Lakes complex in Sarasota, Fla. on Feb. 21 although the official report date for minor league pitchers and catchers is Feb. 28 and March 4 for position players. The early group will get a jump on the rest and be available to help the Orioles if needed in early major league spring training games. The first minor league spring training games are set for March 12. Baltimore Orioles 2014 Player Development Department Director, Minor League Operations - Kent Qualls Director, Player Development - Brian Graham Coordinator, Minor League Administration - Maria Arellano Coordinator, Player Development - Cale Cox Director, Pitching Development - Rick Peterson Director, Minor League Strength and Conditioning - Ryan Crotin Coordinator, Sarasota Strength and Conditioning - Ryan Driscoll Coordinator, Minor League Hitting Instruction - Jeff Manto Coordinator, Pitching Rehabilitation - Scott McGregor Administrator, Florida and Latin America Pitching - Dave Schmidt Director, Dominican Baseball Operations - Nelson Norman Coordinator, Dominican Operations - Felipe Rojas Alou, Jr. Coordinator, Dominican Field - Miguel Jabalera Administrator, Dominican Academy - Jorge Perozo Coordinator, Minor League Medical - Dave Walker Coordinator, Latin American Medical - Manny Lopez Administrator, Sarasota Operations - Len Johnston Instructor, Minor League Infield - Dave Anderson Instructor, Minor League Catching - Don Werner Instructor, Minor League Outfield and Baserunning - Scott Beerer Instructor, Special Assignment - Mike Bordick Manager, Minor League Equipment - Jake Parker Manager, Dominican Equipment - Franklin Garcia