Hillcats 2021 Coaching Staff Unveiled
February 25, 2021 - Carolina League (CarL)
Lynchburg Hillcats News Release
Lynchburg, Va. - The Lynchburg Hillcats, in conjunction with the Cleveland Indians, proudly announced the 2021 coaching staff that will be led by Dennis Malavé.
Manager Dennis Malavé was tabbed as manager last season before the pandemic canceled the 2020 season. Tony Arnold will return to Lynchburg as the Hillcats' pitching coach, a position he previously had in 2015 and 2018. New to Lynchburg Chris Smith will take over as the club's hitting coach. Former Hillcat player, Juan De La Cruz will serve as the team's bench coach.
Malavé, 41, is entering his 17th year in the Indians organization. The former outfielder played in the minor leagues for Cleveland from 1998-2004. Following retirement, he was an Indians bullpen catcher from 2007-2008. He served as the hitting coach for the AZL Indians from 2011-2017 and spent the 2018 campaign as the bench coach in Double-A Akron. A native of Caracas, Venezuela the new Hillcats' skipper led Short-Season Mahoning Valley in 2019.
"It's a very exciting opportunity to be with the Hillcats' this year and continue working in the Cleveland system," said new manager Malavé. "This organization in Lynchburg is such a great place for players to succeed and get better because of the tremendous support from the community."
Patrick Reynolds will also join the Hillcats' staff as the team's athletic trainer with Juan Acevado becoming Lynchburg's strength and conditioning coach.
The Lynchburg Hillcats are the Low A East affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The Hillcats are eight-time Carolina League Champions, having most recently won the Mills Cup Championship in 2017. The Hillcats play their home games at Bank of the James Stadium, which has been home to Minor League Baseball in Lynchburg since 1940. Visit the Hillcats online at Lynchburg-hillcats.com, and follow the Hillcats on Twitter (@LynHillcats), Instagram (@LynHillcats) and Facebook (Lynchburg Hillcats). For more information about the Lynchburg Hillcats, please contact Peter Billups, pbillups@lynchburg-hillcats.com.
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