http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ba ... story.htmlThe White Sox have added former major-league infielder Mark Grudzielanek to manage Triple-A Charlotte, the team announced Wednesday along with its entire player development staff.
Grudzielanek played 15 major-league seasons through 2010, including 2003-04 with the Cubs. He was an assistant coordinator in the Diamondbacks system last year and managed Class-A Kane County in 2015.
He replaces Julio Vinas, who returns to manage Double-A Birmingham, which he led from 2013-15. Chris Getz, the Sox’s new director of player development, said Grudzielanek was a candidate the Sox identified early on.
“He’s well thought of over (with the Diamondbacks),” Getz said. “We looked at him as a guy who has a high ceiling, is very knowledgeable, and we’re excited to add him to the Triple-A managerial position. I think he’s going to be a great asset to our organization, not only now but long term.”
Former Sox player Willie Harris will make his managerial debut at Class-A Winston-Salem after joining the system as the hitting coach at Advanced Rookie Great Falls last season. Justin Jirschele will also make his managerial debut at Class-A Kannapolis. Tim Esmay will manage Great Falls and Ryan Newman will manage the Arizona Rookie League team.
The Sox also made changes to the overall player development staff under Getz, who has had a full schedule traveling to Chicago to meet the front office, the Dominican Republic to see Sox operations there and Arizona to attend the club’s organizational meetings and the Arizona Fall League.
Richard Dotson becomes the pitching coordinator, replacing Curt Hasler, who was named the Sox bullpen coach last month. Dotson was the pitching coach at Charlotte for nine seasons.
“He’s a very intelligent person, a person that relates very well to players,” Getz said. “I’ve never met a player that does not like Richard Dotson, and it’s really because of his people skills and his ability to teach and get players better.”
Mike Gellinger, entering his 29th year in the organization, becomes the minor-league hitting coordinator. Getz got to know both Dotson and Gellinger as a player.
“(Gellinger) has got a great temperament about him, a great understanding of hitting,” Getz said. “He also has a great ability to relate to the player and get the point across and teach him the skills to have success now and have a long and successful career.”
Kirk Champion, previously the Sox field coordinator, also was promoted to director of minor-league instruction. Getz said Champion's knowledge and feel for the organization will be helpful as Getz settles into his new job.
Here’s the full list of appointments.
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT INSTRUCTORS
Director of Player Development: Chris Getz
Director of Minor League Instruction: Kirk Champion
Pitching Coordinator: Richard Dotson
Hitting Coordinator: Mike Gellinger
Catching Coordinator: John Orton
Outfield/Baserunning Coordinator: Aaron Rowand
Infield Coordinator: Vance Law
Camp Coordinator/Assistant, Player Development: Tommy Thompson
Pitching Assistant: J.R. Perdew
Assistant, Player Development: Rafael Santana
Conditioning Coordinator: Dale Torborg
Latin/Cultural Development Coordinator: Anthony Santiago
Minor League Medical/Rehabilitation Coordinator: Scott Takao
Physical Therapist: TBD
Coaching Assistant: Jerry Hairston
CLASS AAA CHARLOTTE
Manager: Mark Grudzielanek
Pitching Coach: Steve McCatty
Hitting Coach: Andy Tomberlin
Coach: Garey Ingram
Trainer: Scott Johnson
Conditioning: Shawn Powell
CLASS AA BIRMINGHAM
Manager: Julio Vinas
Pitching Coach: Jose Bautista
Hitting Coach: Cole Armstrong
Trainer: James Kruk
Conditioning: Tim Rodmaker
CLASS A WINSTON-SALEM
Manager: Willie Harris
Pitching Coach: Brian Drahman
Hitting Coach: Charlie Poe
Trainer: Josh Fallin
Conditioning: George Timke
CLASS A KANNAPOLIS
Manager: Justin Jirschele
Pitching Coach: Matt Zaleski
Hitting Coach: Jamie Dismuke
Trainer: Joe Geck
Conditioning: Goldy Simmons
ADVANCED ROOKIE GREAT FALLS
Manager: Tim Esmay
Pitching Coach: John Ely
Hitting Coach: Eric Richardson
Trainer: Margaret Rall
Conditioning: TBD
ARIZONA ROOKIE LEAGUE
Manager: Ryan Newman
Pitching Coach: Felipe Lira
Hitting Coach: Gary Ward
Trainer: Cory Barton
Conditioning: Ibrahim Rivera
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ACADEMY
Academy Supervisor: Ever Magallanes
Complex Operations Coordinator: Manuel Santana
Field Coordinator: Guillermo Reyes
Manager: Julio Valdez
Pitching Coach: Leo Hernandez
Hitting Coach: Angel Gonzalez
Catching Coach: TBD
Outfield Coach: TBD
Trainer: Jose Del Villar
Conditioning Coach: Pedro Gomez