Royals announce Minor League coaches
Brian Poldberg, Kansas City's third-base coach last season, was announced Tuesday as the manager of the Royals' newest Minor League club, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
This will be Poldberg's 20th season in the KC organization. He was on the Major League coaching staff the last four years after serving as a Minor League catching instructor, manager, coach and player.
The Naturals replace Wichita as the Royals' entry in the Double-A Texas League. Poldberg replaces Tony Tijerina, who becomes manager of Rookie-league Burlington, N.C., and assistant Minor League field coordinator.
Mike Jirschele will return to manager Triple-A Omaha for the sixth straight season and 10th overall.
New coaches in the Minor League system will include former Royals pitcher Doug Henry, who'll be a coach at Class A Burlington, Iowa. He's spent the last two years coaching in the Atlanta organization.
The Minor League assignments for 2008:
OMAHA (Triple-A) -- Mike Jirschele, manager; Tom Burgmeier, pitching; Terry Bradshaw, hitting.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS (Double-A) -- Brian Poldberg, manager; Larry Carter, pitching; Tommy Gregg, hitting.
WILMINGTON (A Advanced) -- Darryl Kennedy, manager; Steve Luebber, pitching; Nelson Liriano, hitting.
BURLINGTON, Iowa (A) -- Brian Rupp, manager; Doug Henry, pitching; Ryan Long, hitting.
IDAHO FALLS (Rookie) -- Jim Gabella, manager; Jerry Nyman, pitching; Jon Williams, hitting.
BURLINGTON, N.C. (Rookie) -- Tony Tijerina, manager; Bobby St. Pierre, pitching; Patrick Anderson, hitting.
ARIZONA (Rookie) -- Julio Bruno, manager; Mark Davis, pitching; Justin Gemoll, hitting; Carlos Martinez, coach.
Field coordinator, Doug Sisson; assistant field coordinator, Tijerina; assistant to player development, John Wathan; coordinators, Bill Fischer (pitching), Andre David (hitting), Mark Harris (infield), Benny Cadahia (catching), Gregg (outfield), Quilvio Veras (roving), Ryan Stoneberg (strength and conditioning), Kyle Turner (medical).
Dick Kaegel is a reporter for MLB.com.