Duncan to lead 2018 Generals on field

Jackson, Tenn.--Ahead of the 2017 Baseball Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla., the Arizona Diamondbacks implemented changes to the Jackson Generals' field staff for the 2018 season. Shelley Duncan, a 2009 World Series champion with the New York Yankees, will manage the D-backs' Double-A club in 2018.

Joining Duncan in Jackson will be hitting coach Vince Harrison and coach Javier Colina, each of whom coached in the Diamondbacks' farm system in 2017. Pitching coach Doug Drabek will reprise his 2017 role as the Generals' pitching coach. Introductions for each coach can be found below. Be sure to check out the Jackson Generals' blog, Generally Speaking, for more information on Generals players and coaches as the 2018 season approaches. 
2018 JACKSON GENERALS FIELD STAFF
Shelley Duncan, 2018 Generals Manager
Duncan brings a robust baseball resume to The Ballpark at Jackson. In seven MLB seasons, he spent time with the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, and Tampa Bay Rays. Duncan played in 330 career MLB games, sporting a .226 average and 43 home runs. Last season, he managed the Class A-Advanced Visalia Rawhide, another Arizona affiliate.
NOTES ON DUNCAN:
2001 First-Team All-American (University of Arizona)
All-time Arizona Widlcats record-holder for home runs in a season (24) and career (55)
2001 draft selection of the New York Yankees (2nd round)
2009 International League MVP
2009 World Series Champion (NYY)
Played under managers Manny Acta, Joe Maddon, Joe Girardi, and Hall of Famer Joe Torre
*2015-17: Manager in the Arizona organization at Hillsboro ('15-'16) and Visalia ('17)

SHELLEY DUNCAN MANAGERIAL RECORD

Vince Harrison, 2018 Generals Hitting Coach
Harrison will pair with Shelley Duncan for the second time in as many years, moving up with his 2017 skipper from Visalia to Jackson. Harrison's best-known Major League connections include his brother, Josh, an All-Star infielder with Pittsburgh Pirates, as well as former University of Kentucky teammate and current San Diego Padres manager Andy Green. Harrison returns to SEC country after playing both college baseball and football for the Wildcats.
NOTES ON HARRISON:
.292 career average in 892 MiLB games, (Tampa Bay, Miami, New York Mets systems)
2014-2017: D-backs MiLB hitting coach (Missoula '14, Kane County '15-'16, Visalia '17)
2017 Visalia Rawhide offense: .247 BA, .309 OBP, .677 OPS, 574 R (4.1/game) 1,165 H (8.3/game), 83 home runs, 111 stolen bases, and 382 walks in 140 games
>>> INF Marty Herum: Midseason All-Star; promoted to Jackson 7/19  
>>> INF Sergio Alcántara: Midseason All-Star; traded to Detroit Tigers 7/18
Javier Colina, 2018 Generals Coach
Colina comes to West Tennessee after managing the Rookie-class AZL D-backs in 2017. Colina's playing career in affiliated baseball spanned 1998-2010, featuring stints in the Colorado, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Chicago White Sox organizations. The Venezuela native also previously coached at Class-A Advanced Visalia, Short Season class Hillsboro, and in Nicaragua.
NOTES ON COLINA:
.263 career average in 1,108 MiLB games
2014-2017: Coach in the Arizona system (Hitting '14 for AZL D-Backs, Hitting '15 for Hillsboro, Coach for Visalia '16, Manager for AZL D-backs '17)
2017 AZL D-Backs: 24-32 record; coached 70+ Diamondbacks players
Doug Drabek, 2018 Generals Pitching Coach
Drabek returns to Jackson after shepherding a trio of Generals from the Opening Day roster to numerous accolades. Ace right-hander Taylor Clarke earned Midseason All-Star honors, helped by a strong First Half and a 2.91 ERA overall. Righty reliever Joey Krehbiel, another Midseason All-Star, held opposing hitters to a .145 batting average through the season's first two months. Lefty closer Gabriel Moya did not allow an earned run between May 1, and August 4, taking home MiLB.com's Top Relief Pitcher award with a 0.77 ERA and a 0.77 WHIP.
NOTES ON DRABEK:
1990 National League Cy Young Award Winner with the Pittsburgh Pirates
1994 American League All-Star with the Houston Astros
155-134 record with a 3.73 career ERA in 398 MLB games (New York Yankees, Pittsburgh, Houston, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore)
2010-2017: Pitching coach in the Arizona ranks (Yakima '10, Visalia '11-'12, Hillsboro '13-'15, Mobile '16, Jackson '17)
*2017 Jackson Generals pitching staff: 1222.1 innings; 3.85 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 38 saves, 50 holds, 8.3 strikeouts/9, 3.7 walks/9, 2.23 K:BB ratio, 81 home runs allowed
>>> RHP Taylor Clarke: Midseason All-Star; promoted to Reno 8/4/17
>>> RHP Joey Krehbiel: Midseason All-Star; promoted to Reno 9/1/17
>>> LHP Gabriel Moya: Midseason All-Star; made his MLB debut with Minnesota, 9/12/17
The Generals will open the 2018 season on Thursday, April 5 at 6:05 pm CT against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. For season tickets and other opportunities with the Generals, please call 731.988.5299.