Royals Announce Changes to Coaching Staff

Kansas City has promoted several Minor League coaches to its Major League staff

The Royals and Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations/General Manager Dayton Moore announced on Monday changes to the Baseball Operations and Major League coaching staffs.

The Royals have promoted Brian Buchanan and Luis Perez from their minor league positions.

Buchanan, who was the Hitting Coach for the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals in 2016, has been named Assistant Major League Hitting Coach. The 2017 season will mark Buchanan’s eighth in the Royals’ organization, after serving positions at: Wilmington (2015), Lexington (2013–14), Kane County (2012) and Idaho Falls (2010–11).

Perez has been named the Assistant Major League Strength and Conditioning Coach/Latin American Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, after serving a similar role in the organization since 2010.

Additionally, Ryan Eigsti will serve as the team’s bullpen catcher in 2017 and Sean Bardenett will be the club’s Manual Tissue Specialist. Cody Clark, who served as the bullpen catcher the last three seasons, has been reassigned to the role of professional/advance scout. Eigsti was originally selected by the Royals in the 15th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft and spent five seasons in Kansas City’s minor league system, reaching Triple-A Omaha in 2011.

Austin Driggers has been hired for a newly formed position of Sports Science Coordinator. He previously served as a Strength and Conditioning Coach for Northwest Arkansas from 2016–14 and at Burlington in 2013.

All other members of the Royals’ Major League coaching staff will return to the club for the 2017 season.