Suns manager David Berg. Photo Courtesy: Roger C. Hoover.
By Roger Hoover / Jacksonville Suns
Last Friday the Miami Marlins announced the Jacksonville Suns field staff for the 2016 season, with years of Double-A experience highlighting manager David Berg’s staff.
The 2016 Suns Field Staff:
Manager: David Berg
Hitting Coach: Rich Arena
Pitching Coach: Storm Davis
Coach: John Pachot
Trainer: Cesar Roman
Strength & Conditioning: Robert Reichert
Video Assistant: Keanan Lamb
Berg expressed his excitement for the upcoming season on his Twitter account @DavidBergie.
Excited to manage @SunsBaseball in 2016. Looking forward to working with @kenbabby & the rest of the front office. Can't wait to get started
— David Berg (@DavidBergie) January 9, 2016
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The Suns also had a busy weekend at the Baseball Grounds, hosting a Food and Beverage job fair on Saturday that will bring many new employees to help Suns fans each night.
In addition to the Suns, the Marlins announced the staffs for each minor league team on Friday, and some former Suns coaches will be in new spots for 2016. After guiding a talented Suns pitching staff in 2015, Derek Botelho will be the pitching coach for Triple-A New Orleans this year. He replaces John Duffy in that role in New Orleans, and Duffy is now the rehab pitching coordinator for the Marlins. Duffy was Suns pitching coach from 2010-14, winning a pair of Southern League titles.
Former Suns player and hitting coach Kevin Randel is back in Greensboro for his second year as Grasshoppers manager, and will be joined by hitting coach Rigoberto Silverio, who served as an extra coach for the Suns in April 2015.
Most discussion for the major league Marlins surrounds Marcel Ozuna, and whether or not he will be in the Miami outfield this summer. The latest reports say that the Marlins are listening to offers on the 2013 Sun, but there is a chance he will remain a Marlin this season.
Here are today’s #MarlinsMonday links, enjoy watching the College Football National Championship Game tonight (maybe root for my other employer the Crimson Tide!).
News 4 JAX: Harold Craw has big plans as GM of Suns
Jacksonville Business Journal: How Ken Babby is taking the Jacksonville Suns into a new phase
The Florida Times-Union: David Berg returns as Jacksonville Suns manager
Marlins.com: Marlins announce player development moves
Marlins.com: Does Ozuna hold key to controllable starter?
Marlins.com: Inbox: Can Marlins lock up Gordon long term?
Fish Stripes: Miami Marlins rumors: Interested in Chen, Sierra
Palm Beach Post: Nationals hire ex-Marlins manager, GM Jennings to help Rizzo
Yahoo! Big League Stew: Hot Stove Digest: NL team making push to acquire R.A. Dickey
ESPN:Olney: Mets boast baseball’s best rotation, but who’s No. 2?
Fox Sports: Marlins don’t want to go to bat with Dee Gordon on this one
The New York Times:With Two Homers, Emotions Go Deep for Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza
Shrimp Baseball Network 