NEWS: Delino DeShields to return for his third season as manager of the #LouBats. Details & entire coaching staff: https://t.co/Hcwpt9DTRY pic.twitter.com/8VAUQ34Ogj — Louisville Bats (@LouisvilleBats) January 20, 2017

2017 @BlueWahoosBBall coaching staff:

Manager Pat Kelly

Pitching coach Danny Darwin

Hitting coach Gookie Dawkins

Bench coach Dick Schofield — Kourage Kundahl (@kouragekundahl) January 20, 2017

Reds announce Louisville (DeShields) & Daytona (Merrero) managers to return — C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) January 20, 2017

The Reds announced coaching staffs for some minor league affiliates, and there weren’t many surprises. You can find all the details of these staffs here. Triple-A Louisville’s staff, including manager Delino DeShields, will return to the club, and Pat Kelly will helm Double-A Pensacola’s squad once again.

What was surprising was the fact that the Reds decided to add a fourth coach to each minor league coaching staff, creating the position of bench coach for each affiliate. It may seem like a small thing, but it seems like a positive sign. Over the last couple of years, the Reds have continued to pump money into international scouting, the minor league system, and player development.

Zach Buchanan has the details, courtesy of Reds’ Director of Player Development Jeff Graupe, regarding what the minor league bench coach’s duties will be:

“We try to have as many diverse and versatile staff members as possible, whether that be English/Spanish, catchers and infielders and outfielders, former starting pitchers and former relievers. We’re trying to have someone on staff who can hold their expertise and be able to help every player we have.”

Go read the entire piece, as it lays out the entirety of what’s expected of these bench coaches. Some other teams are doing this, so the Reds aren’t exactly breaking new ground here. But any increased investment in player development is not only welcome, it’s a necessity in the current environment.

Of course, when the Reds spend money on things other than the big league roster, I’m always reminded of former owner Marge Schott’s reluctance to spend on such things. Specifically, the fact that she didn’t want to pay scouts, because: “All they do is sit around and watch ball games.”

That’s apropos of nothing, but it’s exactly the sort of crack analysis that you can expect from us here at the Nation. Enjoy!