Schneider promoted to double-A as Blue Jays finalize MiLB staffs

Toronto-Blue-Jays-general-manager-Ross-Atkins-throws-a-ball-during-baseball-spring-training-in-Dunedin,-Fla.,-on-Sunday,-February-19,-2017.-(Nathan-Denette/CP)

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins throws a ball during baseball spring training in Dunedin, Fla. (Nathan Denette/CP)

TORONTO – John Schneider will manage the double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats this year, a promotion the former catcher earned while working with several top Toronto Blue Jays prospects at advanced-A Dunedin last season.

The 37-year-old takes over from Gary Allenson, who was fired after the season, and is considered a rising coaching prospect in the Blue Jays system. His hiring was announced Wednesday as the organization revealed its minor-league coaching staff.

Casey Candaele, fired as the Seattle Mariners’ first base coach in October, takes over from Schneider as the new manager at Dunedin. Bobby Meacham returns as manager at Buffalo, Cesar Martin is back at Lansing while Dallas McPherson, the former Los Angeles Angels second-rounder, replaces the fired Rich Miller at Vancouver.

The managers at rookie-level Bluefield (Dennis Holmberg), the GCL (Luis Hurtado) and the Dominican Summer League (John Tamargo) are all unchanged.

Schneider enjoyed successful stints with the GCL Blue Jays in 2013, two years at short-season A Vancouver and 2016 at low-A Lansing before taking over at Dunedin in 2017. He led a team that at points included Anthony Alford, Ryan Borucki, Danny Jansen, Max Pentecost, Jordan Romano, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Bo Bichette to a 72-66 mark, sharing the Florida State League title with the Palm Beach Cardinals because of Hurricane Irma.

Guerrero and Bichette are expected to quickly reach double-A next season if they don’t start at the level. Pentecost and Romano are expected to open there, while Alford, Borucki and Jansen are expected to begin the season at triple-A Buffalo.
Schneider will work at New Hampshire with returning pitching coach Vince Horsman of Halifax and position coach Andy Fermin, while Hunter Mense, a former Marlins draft pick who coached in the Padres system, takes over from Ron Ortegon, who left the organization, as hitting coach.

Guillermo Martinez, meanwhile, returns to the Blue Jays system as the hitting co-ordinator after three seasons in the Chicago Cubs system, and Tim Raines moves from outfield and baserunning to special assistant.

The full coaching staffs:

Triple-A Buffalo Bisons

Manager – Bobby Meacham
Hitting coach – Corey Hart
Pitching coach – Bob Stanley
Position coach – Devon White

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Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Manager – John Schneider
Hitting coach – Hunter Mense
Pitching coach – Vince Horsman
Position coach – Andy Fermin

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Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays

Manager – Casey Candaele
Hitting coach – Donnie Murphy
Pitching coach – Mark Riggins
Position coach – Michel Abreu

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Low-A Lansing Lugnuts

Manager – Cesar Martin
Hitting coach – Matt Young
Pitching coach – Tony Caceres
Position coach – Dave Pano

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Short-season-A Vancouver Canadians

Manager – Dallas McPherson
Hitting coach – Aaron Matthews
Pitching coach – Jim Czajkowski

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Rookie ball Bluefield Blue Jays

Manager – Dennis Holmberg
Hitting coach – Carlos Villalobos
Pitching coach – Adam Bernero
Position coach – Chris Schaeffer

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Rookie ball GCL Blue Jays

Manager – Luis Hurtado
Hitting coach – Paul Elliott
Pitching coach – Rafael Lazo
Assistant pitching coach – Mark Worrell
Position coach – George Carroll

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Dominican Summer League Blue Jays

Manager – John Tamargo
Hitting coach – Julio Germosen
Pitching coach – Yoel Hernandez
Position coach – Jose Mateo

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