D-backs announce 2021 Player Development Staff

The Arizona Diamondbacks have named the organization’s 2021 Player Development staff. As previously announced, invitations to become affiliates have been sent to Triple-A Reno, Double-A Amarillo, Single-A Advanced Hillsboro and Single-A Visalia, pending the completion of the process.

Blake Lalli takes over as manager of the Reno Aces, having previously been manager of the Jackson Generals. At age 37, Lalli is the youngest manager in the history of the Reno Aces, and is the first to have been a former player with the team. He was on their roster as part of the D-backs organization in 2014 + 2015, but didn’t reach the majors as a D-back. Though as shown above, we do have a pic of him in Sedona Red. :) Lalli did play part of three seasons in MLB, with the Cubs, Brewers and Braves. Lalli takes over from Chris Cron (Kevin’s Dad), who moves to become overall on-field coordinator.

There are changes at the helm of our other minor-league affiliates as well. Shawn Roof takes over at our new Double-A affiliate, the Sod Poodles. Roof was named Manager of the Year by the California League in the last minor-league season, 2019, when he ran the Visalia Rawhide and took them to a league-best 78-46 record. The Hillsboro Hops see Vince Harrison take over, after he had managed the Kane County Cougars in 2019. Meanwhile, Visalia get Javier Colina, who led the Hillsboro Hops to the Northwest League title in 2019. They’ll also have Barry Enright as their pitching coach.

Below are the full coaching roster. Numbers in parentheses: first number is their years with the current title (consecutive); second number is consecutive years with the D-backs organization.