Astros Announce Minor League Managers and Staff for 2017
With the 2017 season on the horizon, the Astros have announced the minor league managers and staff for all the minor league affiliates. Some have changed, some have moved up, and some familiar faces will be in the system.
AAA: Fresno Grizzlies
Tony DeFrancesco will be returning as the Grizzlies’ manager. In his first and Astros first year with Fresno, 2015, he led the Grizzlies to the AAA National Championship. Fresno finished 73-70 in 2016. Dyar Miller will be the pitching coach for the second consecutive season and Darryl Robinson will be the hitting coach (after being promoted from Class A Advanced).
AA: Corpus Christ Hooks
Rodney Linares is returning to manage the Hooks after a very good 2016 season which saw the Hooks finish 85-55 and funnel talent to Houston. This followed up an 89-51 2015 season. Dave Borkowski is returning as the pitching coach and Joel Chimelis will return as the hitting coach.
A+: Buies Creek Astros
Omar Lopez will be the manager for the first ever Buies Creek Astros’ season. He is entering his 19th season with the Astros and managed the River Bandits in 2016. Chris Holt will be the pitching coach with Troy Snitker as the hitting coach.
A: Quad Cities River Bandits
Russ Steinhorn will manage the River Bandits in 2017. Steinehorn is being promoted from DSL Astros. This will be his 5th season with the Astros organization. Drew French has moved up from the ValleyCats and will be the pitching coach for the River Bandits in 2017. Ben Rosenthal will be the hitting coach.
A-: Tri-City ValleyCats
Morgan Ensberg will manage the ValleyCats in 2017, his first managerial position. He started coaching with the Astros in 2013 after an 8 year MLB career. Bill Murphy is the pitching coach with Jeremy Barnes as the hitting coach.
For more on the Astros minor league staff for the Greeneville Astros, GCL Astros, and the DSL Astros click HERE for the Astros official release.
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**Photo Credit: Kiel Maddox**
