ST. LOUIS • True to their organization's goal of having one generation of players shape the next and so on, the Cardinals' list of managers and instructors for the minor-league system is dotted with former players and longtime coaches who may have new roles but are buttoning a familiar jersey.

Take Tony Cruz, for example.

The Cardinals' longtime backup, who caught the eye of the Cardinals more than a decade ago during a tryout at the Jupiter, Fla., facility, has returned to the organization as an instructor this season. Cruz will help with catchers throughout the organization, according to the team's official announcement of minor-league staffs on Friday. He is part of a group of minor-league coaches and coordinators that will work, at times, with all the of the affiliates.

That group also includes Jose Oquendo, who has moved from the third-base coach's box to being a "roving" instructor. That's his title, per the release. He will work with infielders at affiliates and in Jupiter. The Cardinals' new minor-league infielder instructor is longtime manager Johnny Rodriguez, who has managed at Low-A and Class AA in recent years, helping to shepherd such talents as Trevor Rosenthal, Kolten Wong, Carlos Martinez, and the late Oscar Taveras to the majors.