The Cubs have announced their minor league staff assignments for the 2011 season. The complete list can be found at cubs.com. The biggest void to be filled, Ryan Sandberg’s former job as manager at Iowa, was fill by former Tennessee manager Bill Dancy. Under Dancy the 2010 Tennessee Smokies had a fantastic season, losing in the Southern League championships series after setting a franchise record for wins.
A few former Cubs have also joined the minor league coaching ranks, including one of Iowa offensive leaders from last season.
Jason Dubois was drafted by the Cubs in 2000. Dubois rose quickly though the minors but could never quite break into the majors. With a minor league career batting average of .287 and a slugging percentage of .531, Dubois brings plenty of experience to the position of hitting coach for the Cubs Rookie League affiliate in Mesa.
Also joining the Cubs compound in Mesa is Frank Castillo, a starting pitcher for Cubs from 1991 to 1997. While his time with the Cubs was never marked by a great deal success, I remember Castillo as a pitcher who typically kept the Cubs in the game. With nearly 300 major league starts behind him, Castillo should be good resource for the young players just arriving in Mesa after the draft.
Other former Cubs coaching in the minor include Jeff Fassero, now the pitching coach at low A Peoria. Cub fans remember Fassero coming out of the pen in 2001 and 2002. Fassero hung around baseball for 15 years, and his experience could be a great thing to have in Peoria.