MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Velazquez Named Loons Manager

Published on December 21, 2015 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


New Great Lakes Loons Manager Gil Velazquez
New Great Lakes Loons Manager Gil Velazquez
(Great Lakes Loons)

MIDLAND, Mich. - Gil Velazquez will serve as the Great Lakes Loons manager during the 2016 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced today. He will be the seventh manager since the team's inception and the fourth manager in four seasons for the Loons.

Velazquez made the transition to coaching last year with the Dodger organization following a 17-year professional career, including five big league seasons with Boston (2008-09), Los Angeles-AL (2011) and Miami (2012-13).

In 2015 under the guidance of manager Luis Matos, the Loons qualified for the Midwest League playoffs for the fourth time in franchise history (2009, 2010, 2013, 2015). It was also the second time the Loons had locked up a playoff spot in the first half with a 38-30 record.

Under manager Jack McDowell, Velazquez was a coach with the Arizona League Dodgers last year along with hitting coach Aaron Bates and pitching coach Greg Sabat.

Velazquez appeared in 33 Major League games as an infielder, making his debut on Sept. 25, 2008 with the Red Sox against the Cleveland Indians. He represented Mexico at the 2013 World Baseball Classic and played in the final game of his big league career against the Dodgers on Aug. 22, 2013 at Marlins Park.

The 36-year-old Los Angeles native is a graduate of Paramount High School in Paramount, CA and was a 14th-round selection of the New York Mets in the 1998 First-Year Player Draft.

The Dodgers also announced the other managers for their minor league affiliates today: Bill Haselman at Triple-A Oklahoma City, Ryan Garko at Double-A Tulsa, Drew Saylor at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, Shaun Larkin at Rookie-advanced Ogden and John Shoemaker with the Rookie-level Arizona League Dodgers.

Haselman held the role of manager for the Loons during the 2014 season, while John Shoemaker had a two-year stint in Midland from 2011-12.

The Great Lakes Loons have been a Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since the team's inception in 2007 and are entering their 10th season in 2016. For tickets and more information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.

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New Great Lakes Loons Manager Gil Velazquez
New Great Lakes Loons Manager Gil Velazquez
   



Midwest League Stories from December 21, 2015


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