Lance Rymel Returns for Second Managerial Stint in Eugene

Today, the Chicago Cubs announced their minor league managers and coaching staffs for the 2020 season, and some familiar faces will be back in the dugout for the Eugene Emeralds this summer, headlined by the return of manager, Lance Rymel.

Lance Rymel is in his fifth season as a coach or manager in the Cubs organization, and his second as manager for Single-A Eugene, after two seasons managing the Dominican Summer League squads in 2017-18. He began his coaching career in 2016 as Mesa's rehab coach following a three-year minor league playing career as a catcher in the Cubs chain from 2012-14.
Last season, Rymel led the Ems to a 33-43 record, good for 3^rd in the Northwest League South division. Unfortunately, the record was not enough to propel the team into the postseason for the first time since 2015, but Rymel remains optimistic and excited for his second season at the helm.
"Happy to be heading back to the great city of Eugene, I wish it was June 17^th already," said Rymel as he heard the news he would be returning. "Excited to get to work in spring training and get all of our players ready for Eugene."
Joining Rymel in the dugout will be Armando Gabino as pitching coach and Osmin Melendez as hitting coach. This will be Gabino's third consecutive season overseeing the pitching staff in Eugene, while Melendez returns as hitting coach for the 2^nd time in Eugene after spending last year as the hitting coach in High-A Myrtle Beach with 2018 Emeralds' manager Steven Lerud.
Travis Fitta will be Eugene's assistant hitting coach in 2020, his first as a coach in the Chicago Cubs' organization. He joins the club after spending 2019 at Ohio University as the baseball program's Director of Hitting Development. Sean Folan will be back as trainer for the team for the 3^rd consecutive season as well.