The Los Angeles Dodgers announced their Minor League coaching staffs for the 2019 season, which brought plenty of change throughout the organization. Part of that is Mark Kertenian taking over as manager of High-A Rancho Cucamonga.
The Quakes were previously guided by Drew Saylor the past three seasons. Saylor led the Quakes to a California League title and was named the 2018 Minor League Manager of the Year by Baseball America. Saylor moved on to manage in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.
Kertenian is entering his third season with the organization and takes helm of the Quakes after managing Rookie-level Ogden in 2017 and the Arizona League Dodgers last year. He guided the Raptors to a Pioneer League title and AZL team to a championship.
Kertenian’s coaching career also includes time at the collegiate level with California State Northridge (2001-10), Nevada (2014) and Florida International University (2015-16). The Burbank, Calif., native holds a Political Science degree from CSUN and Master’s from Azusa Pacific University.
Other changes to the Quakes staff for this season include Elian Herrera, who retired as a player to take on a coaching role. Herrera spent four seasons in the Majors, with stints playing for the Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers.
Hitting coach Dustin Kelly is another newcomer to the Quakes staff. He’s entering a second season in the Dodgers organization, after spending 2018 with the Raptors.
Connor McGuiness is the lone holdover on the Quakes coaching staff as he’s due to reprise his role as pitching coach. Prior to his first season with Rancho Cucamonga, McGuiness spent one year with Low-A Great Lakes.
