Smokies name Lewallyn pitching coach

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. -- Former Major League pitcher Dennis Lewallyn was named the Smokies pitching coach for the 2007 season on Thursday after spending the last twelve seasons in the Arizona Diamondbacks Minor League operation.

"I'm a Southern boy and East Tennessee will be a good fit for me," said Lewallyn. "I am excited to be with the Cubs organization, this will be my first year with them and I am looking forward to it."

Lewallyn was most recently Arizona's minor league pitching coordinator from 2005-2006, a position he also held from 2002 to July, 2004 before he was promoted to the Diamondbacks as their bullpen coach.

Lewallyn began his coaching career with the Diamondbacks as pitching coach for Lethbridge (Class A Short Season) in 1996. He then worked with South Bend (Class A) in 1997 and moved on to High Desert (Class A Advanced) in 1998 before spending three seasons in El Paso (Double-A) from 1999-2001. Prior to joining the Diamondbacks, Lewallyn spent 13 years as a pitching instructor for the Los Angeles Dodgers' organization.

He is a former first round draft pick and has appeared in the Majors with the Dodgers, the Texas Rangers and the Cleveland Indians.

The complete list of Minor League managerial and coaching staff assignments will be announced later this month.

The Smokies' home opener is April 11, 2007 vs. the Huntsville Stars.