The High-A Great Lakes Loons coaching staff for the 2024 season is going to be led by new manager Jair Fernandez. He joins the Loons after holding other positions within the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.
Fernandez becomes the 11th manager in Loons history, and his prior experience included overseeing the Dodgers’ Arizona Complex League team. This is Fernandez’s seventh season coaching with the organization.
He’ll be surrounded by a bevy of returning staff, including Loons pitching coaches David Anderson and Richard De Los Santos, hitting coach O’Koyea Dickson, and bench coach Elian Herrera.
Anderson is entering in his third season as Loons pitching coach. A league-leading 3.73 ERA as a staff last year has earned him high praise. Anderson previously served as the pitching coach for the ACL Dodgers in 2021 prior to joining the Loons in 2022.
De Los Santos is back for his third year on the staff, sharing the title of pitching coach for the second season. The 39-year-old had spent his nine-year career within the Tampa Bay Rays system.
Dickson returns for his second season as Loons hitting coach and is coming off the position players having a solid year at the plate in 2023. Selected in the 12th round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Dodgers, Dickson played for the Loons during the 2012 season.
This is Dickson’s third year coaching in the Dodgers organization.
Herrera is back for a fourth season as the bench coach for the Loons and brings Major League experience with him. Herrera played for Great Lakes during their inaugural season in 2007, alongside nine fellow future big league players.
Also on the Loons coaching staff are a handful of new faces, including Jake Taylor (performance coach) and Colby Wyatt (affiliate development associate). Ikuo Kato returns as the athletic trainer.
Great Lakes Loons start season April 5
The Loons open their 2024 schedule with a three-game set against the Fort Wayne TinCaps, the High-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres.
In addition to starting their season, the Loons are set to host an Opening Day celebration for fans. Festivities include a ‘Fireworks Loontacular’ and a ‘Feast Friday’ with special pricing for food and drinks throughout the ballpark.
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