Diamondbacks Pleased With Duncan

PHOENIX—If more proof is needed that the apple does not fall far from the tree, consider the success of short-season Hillsboro manager Shelley Duncan.

In his first season as a minor league manager, Duncan helped the Hops to their second straight Northwest League championship, and he will return in the same capacity in 2016.

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Duncan, son of long-time pitching coach and current Diamondbacks pitching advisor Dave Duncan, led the Hops to a 45-31 record and a .592 winning percentage.

“Shelley did a very good job with the players this summer,” vice president of baseball operations De Jon Watson said. “I think he learned a lot about his leadership and how to communicate with all of the different personalities. I’m excited to see his continued growth.”

Duncan will welcome a new pitching coach in 2016: Mike Parrott, a 20-year veteran of the organization who shifts to the NWL after seven seasons at Triple-A Reno.

The D-backs made only one managerial change to the second-most successful farm system in 2015. Arizona domestic affiliates went a combined 455-382 (.544)—they trailed only the Astros (.565)—and four clubs made their league playoffs.

Like Hillsboro, Rookie-level Missoula also won its league title, in this case the Pioneer.

Missoula manager Joe Mather also will return to his post in 2016, as will Phil Nevin at Reno, Robby Hammock at Double-A Mobile and J.R. House at high Class A Visalia.

The D-backs promoted former low Class A South Bend manager Mark Grudzielanek to assistant field coordinator, a new position in the organization, and former Rookie-level Arizona League manager Mike Benjamin will manage South Bend this season.

Darrin Garner, the only new manager in the system, will run the AZL team. He held the same position with the Mariners in 2015.

SNAKE BITES

• Former D-backs first baseman Erubiel Durazo was named the team’s special adviser on Mexico to president/CEO Derrick Hall. A native of Hermosillo, Durazo hit 94 big league home runs to rank fourth-most among Mexican-born players.

• The D-backs also hired Francisco Cartaya as the coordinator of Latin America and added Rodrigo Aguirre as a scout in Mexico.