SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Charlie Montoyo believes strongly in the need for an effective triple-A manager, which is why the Toronto Blue Jays manager insisted to farm director Gil Kim that he be involved in the interviewing process.
“That’s a big job,” Montoyo said Wednesday, after the Blue Jays promoted popular catching co-ordinator Ken Huckaby to manage at triple-A Buffalo. “I was there (in triple-A) for so long and to me that’s important, to know that the guy does the job right and is on the same page as our big-league club.
“So I talked to Ken and of course he got the job and one of the reasons why I know he’s going to be really good is because he spent a lot of time there as a player,” added Montoyo. “He played 11 seasons in triple-A so he knows what it takes, he knows what the players think and I know he’s going to be really good.”
Huckaby, a highly respected defender during an 18-year pro career who served as Hall of Famer Roy Halladay’s personal catcher, spent the past three seasons roving the farm system to work closely with the club’s backstops. He replaces Bobby Meacham, who parted ways with the club after the season.
Huckaby began coaching in the organization in 2013 with rookie level Bluefield, and two years later he was managing the low-A Lansing Lugnuts. The next year, Huckaby was promoted to advanced-A Dunedin before transitioning to the catching co-ordinator’s role, where his creative drill-work has helped many of the club’s backstops, including Danny Jansen and Reese McGuire.
The 48-year-old spent parts of three seasons, and appeared in 128 of his 161 career big-league games, with the Blue Jays, where he became a personal favourite of Halladay. Affable and engaging, he was seen as future manager material during his playing days because of his insight into the game and ability to interact with people.
Right-hander Nate Pearson is expected to be among the Blue Jays prospects to open the 2020 season at Buffalo.
The Blue Jays also promoted Cesar Martin, the Florida State League manager of the year in 2019 for his work at advanced-A Dunedin, to manage at double-A New Hampshire.
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