The Los Angeles Dodgers coaching staff underwent several changes with Don Mattingly’s tenure as manager coming to an end.
Only pitching coach Rick Honeycutt was retained as the Dodgers otherwise added several new faces to the staff.
Along with the coaching turnover, manager Dave Roberts’ staff includes a newly-created position — quality assurance coach.
It’s being filled by Juan Castro, who transitions from Dodgers Minor League infield coordinator. Roberts provided details behind the decision to create the role, via Jon Weisman of Dodger Insider:
“Juan had been in the system working with the infield, and he had the rapport with a lot of Latin players,” Roberts said, “and I think his ability to teach was attractive to me. So I think for me, as the puzzle kind of played itself out, and (as) I looked at a staff that doesn’t have anyone who speaks Spanish, it only made sense to have Juan on board, help (third-base coach) Chris Woodward out with the infield defense, (and) sit in the suite and watch from above during the game to help us with things like that.”
Roberts continued to add clarity regarding Castro’s in-game work, along with his coaching responsibilities:
“Whether he’s watching the game in the clubhouse on the screen, or up top and seeing the whole big picture,” Roberts said, “right after the game we can talk about things from his perspective. But he’s on the Major League staff. He’s going to be hitting ground balls, work with infielders and helping with positioning and doing all that stuff as well.”
The 43-year-old Castro joined the front office following his retirement in July 2011 as a special assistant. He played in eight seasons for the Dodgers during his 17-year career.
The Dodgers signed Castro signed as an amateur free agent out of Mexico in June 1991.
