Spokane Indians Announce 2023 Field Staff

Spokane, Wash. - The Colorado Rockies have announced the 2023 field staff for Spokane, with former big league catcher Robinson Cancel taking over as manager for the Indians. Pitching coach Ryan Kibler and hitting coach Zach Osborne each return for a third season in the Inland Northwest, while longtime MiLB manager Joe Mikulik rounds out the staff as bench coach.

Manager: Robinson Cancel

Robinson Cancel enters his first season at the helm in Spokane and seventh overall with the Rockies organization following a successful two-year stint with the Low-A Fresno Grizzlies. In his two seasons as Fresno manager, Cancel recorded a 157-90 record (.635 winning percentage) and guided the Grizzlies to a pair of postseason appearances. Before taking over in Fresno, Cancel led the former Low-A affiliate of the Rockies, the Asheville Tourists, for two seasons. During the offseason in 2018, he led the Tomateros de Culiacan in the Mexicana del Pacifico Winter League. Prior to that, Cancel was a coach for Short-Season Boise in 2017, his first year with the Rockies. From 2015-2016, Cancel was a part of the Atlanta Braves system, where he was at the helm for Rookie Level Danville (2016) and the Gulf Coast League Braves (2015). Before becoming a coach, Cancel played professionally from 1994 to 2011 after being selected by Milwaukee in the 16th round of the 1994 First-Year Player Draft. Cancel went on to play parts of four Major League seasons with Milwaukee (1999), New York - NL (2008-09) and Houston (2011).

Pitching Coach: Ryan Kibler

Kibler returns to Spokane for a third season in 2023 and his 12th overall as a pitching coach in the Rockies organization. Prior to joining Spokane, Kibler served as pitching coach for the Boise Hawks (2019), Asheville Tourists (2017-2018), and Grand Junction Rockies (2012-16). Kibler was drafted by Colorado in the second round of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft out of C. Leon King High School in Tampa, FL, and spent his entire six-year playing career in the Rockies organization.

Hitting Coach: Zach Osborne

Osborne enters third season with the Indians and fifth year overall as a hitting coach in the Rockies system. Spokane’s offense led the Northwest League in batting (.261), hits (1,136), total bases (1,762) and stolen bases (214) during the 2022 season. Before joining the Indians, the former Tennessee Volunteer spent two seasons with Grand Junction (2018-19) as a hitting coach. As a player, Osborne signed as a Minor League free agent in 2012 and reached as high as Triple-A in his five-year career with the Rockies.

Bench Coach: Joe Mikulik

Mikulik returns to the Rockies organization for the first time since 2012, having previously spent 13 years as manager of the Asheville Tourists (2000-2012). Mikulik spent six years in the Rangers system as manager of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (2014) and Frisco RoughRiders (2015-2019) and most recently managed the Pioneer League's Rocky Mountain Vibes in 2022. Originally drafted in 1984 by the Houston Astros, Mikulik spent 11 seasons in the minors as a player before beginning his managerial career with the Burlington Indians (1997-98).

ABOUT THE SPOKANE INDIANS

The Spokane Indians are the High-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies located in Spokane, Washington, and were named 2021 MiLB Organization of the Year. Avista Stadium is home to the MultiCare Kids Bench Seat. Parking at all Spokane Indians games is FREE. The Spokane Indians Office and Team Store are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.