Kansas City Royals

Royals reveal 2018 minor league coaches, assignments

Published Jan. 10, 2018 1:02 p.m. ET

Three managers return to the same posts, three move from other spots in the Royals organization and three will be new to the organization when the 2018 minor league season begins.

The Royals announced their 2018 minor league staff assignments and coordinators Wednesday.

Omaha (Triple-A): Manager Brian Poldberg returns to lead the Storm Chasers for a fifth season.

Northwest Arkansas (Double-A): The Naturals welcome a new manager, Mike Rojas, son of Royals Hall of Famer Cookie Rojas. The younger Rojas managed Detroit’s Triple-A affiliate last season.

Wilmington (Advanced-A): The Blue Rocks welcome back manager Darryl Kennedy, who previously managed the Blue Rocks in 2008 and 2014 and managed the Royals’ Arizona League team in Surprise from 2015-17.

Lexington (Class A): Scott Thorman begins his second year as manager of the Legends.

Idaho Falls (Rookie Advanced): Manager Omar Ramirez, who managed Burlington last season and Lexington in 2015-16, enters his 10th season in the Royals organization.

Burlington (Rookie): Brooks Conrad, who played parts of six seasons in the majors with Oakland (2008), Atlanta (2009-11), Milwaukee (2012), Tampa Bay (2012) and San Diego (2014), takes over as manager of the organization's Appalachian League affiliate.

Surprise (Rookie): Tony Pena Jr., son of the Royals' manager from 2002-05, will manage the club's Arizona League affiliate. Pena last played affiliated ball with Triple-A Charlotte (White Sox) in 2013.

Dominican (Rookie): Miguel Bernard, who managed the Dominican Royals last season, and Ramon Martinez, who was the club's infield coach, will share managerial duties in 2018.

To view the full Royals organizational coaching chart, click HERE.