PL Grand Junction Jackalopes

Rockies Name 2018 Coaching Staff

Published on February 20, 2018 under Pioneer League (PL)
Grand Junction Jackalopes News Release


The Colorado Rockies have announced its minor league staffs for the 2018 season. Jake Opitz has been named the Grand Junction Rockies manager. He will be joined by Pitching Coach Doug Jones, Supervisor, Rookie Level Development Andy Gonzalez, Trainer John Duff, and Physical Performance Coach Phil Bailey.

Opitz is entering his first season in Grand Junction and his second in the Colorado Rockies organization. He played for the University of Nebraska before being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 12th round of the 2008 draft. He played in the minors until 2012 and spent three seasons playing indedpendent league baseball. He began his coaching career in 2016 as the hitting coach for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs before joining the Hartford Yard Goats in 2017.

Jones is entering his fourth season coaching in the Rockies organization. He served as the Boise Hawks pitching coach in 2015 and 2016. Prior to 2015, Jones was the pitching coach at San Diego Christian College for five years and from 2006-2008, he was a special minor league assistant with the Arizona Diamondbacks. During his 16 years in the Majors, Johnes was a five-time All-Star with 303 career saves.

Gonzalez returns in his fourth season in the Rockies organization. Prior to joining Grand Junction in 2017, Gonzalez was with the Boise Hawks as the hitting coach in 2015 and manager in 2016. His playing career spanned 13 years including parts of three Major League seasons with the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, and Florida Marlins.

Duff returns to Grand Junction for his sixth season with the Rockies.

Bailey enters his first season in Grand Junction.

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