The Colorado Rockies have finalized their full major league coaching staff, the team announced via Twitter on Thursday. New additions to the staff joining first year manager Bud Black are Duane Espy as hitting coach, Jeff Salazar as assistant hitting coach, Tony Diaz as first base coach, and coach Ron Gideon. Holdovers from Walt Weiss’ staff include Stu Cole as third base coach, Steve Foster as pitching coach, and Darren Holmes as bullpen coach. Mike Redmond was announced as the bench coach last month.
Diaz, Espy, Gideon, and Salazar were promoted from within the Rockies organization. Diaz has spent the past four seasons as the supervisor of development with Rookie Level Grand Junction and is a member of the Pioneer League Hall of Fame for his coaching efforts. He also managed the Rockies Arizona Fall League affiliate Salt River Rafters this year.
Espy previously served as Rockies hitting coach under Clint Hurdle from 2003 to 2006. He has spent the past two seasons working as the Rockies’ Minor League Hitting Coordinator. In between he served as hitting coach for Rookie Level Casper (2007) and High-A Modesto (2008-2010), manager of Double-A Tulsa (2011-2012), supervisor of development for Tulsa (2013) and Short-Season Tri-Cities (2014).
Gideon has been a part of the Rockies organization for 21 years, serving as minor league manager for Short-Season Portland (1996), Low-A Asheville (1997-1998), High-A Salem (1999), Double-A Carolina (200-2001), and Double-A Tulsa (2009-2010). He has spent much of his tenure as a roving field coordinator and supervisor of development in the orgainzation.
Salazar comes to the Rockies after spending the past two seasons as hitting coach for Double-A Hartford. He was drafted by the Rockies in 2002 and made his major league debut for the Rockies on September 7, 2006. He spent parts of four seasons in the majors, playing for the Rockies, Diamondbacks, and Pirates.