The White Sox promoted Kirk Champion, Richard Dotson and Mike Gellinger as part of a slew of player development moves on Wednesday.
Champion, who served as fielding coordinator from 2012-16, takes over as the director of minor-league instruction.
“He’s a guy who has experienced a lot of different roles,” player development director Chris Getz said. “He’s got a lot of knowledge. He’s got a lot of feel for the organization. In the position he’s in now, he’s going to be very helpful for me, from a selfish standpoint, because he kind of knows the lay of the land.”
After nine seasons as pitching coach for Triple-A Charlotte, Dotson replaces Curt Hasler as the organization’s new pitching coordinator. Hasler was promoted to White Sox bullpen coach last month.
“He’s a very intelligent person, a person that relates very well to players,” Getz said. “I’ve never met a player that does not like Richard Dotson, and it’s really because of his people skills and his ability to teach and get players better.”
[SHOP: Gear up, White Sox fans!]
Gellinger, who has spent 29 years in the organization, has been named the organization’s hitting coordinator. He previously managed the team’s Arizona Rookie League team.
MLB
“He’s got a great temperament about him, a great understanding of hitting,” Getz said. “Also has a great ability to relate to the player and get the point across and teach him the skills to have success now and have a long and successful career.”
The White Sox also officially announced the hire of Mark Grudzielanek as Triple-A Charlotte manager. Steve McCatty, who was the Washington Nationals’ pitching coach from 2009-15, will replace Dotson as the Knights’ pitching coach.
The hitting coach at Rookie Great Falls last season, Willie Harris has been named manager at Single-A Winston-Salem. Justin Jirschele takes over as manager at Single-A Kannapolis while Julio Vinas returns to manage at Double-A Birmingham, a role he also held from 2013-15.
Earlier this offseason the White Sox named Getz as their new player development director following the promotion of Nick Capra to third-base coach.