The Giants announced the coaching staffs in their farm system, and a familiar face is the new pitching coach at low Class A Augusta.
Lefty Steve Kline, two years removed from his final season in the majors, will instruct some of the system's young pitchers. Last year, the top prospect, Madison Bumgarner, pitched at Augusta. Perhaps the most significant hire was Steve Decker as the Class AA Connecticut manager. Decker, a one-time Giants catcher, is a rising star in the organization after succeeding at short-season Salem-Keizer and high Class A San Jose, which went 85-55 in the California League.
It wouldn't be a surprise if Decker became a big-league manager some day, and this is his latest step upward. While at Connecticut, he could get a chance to work with a prominent catcher, Buster Posey, the sixth overall player taken in the June draft who might be ticketed for the 2010 Opening Day lineup.
Ross Grimsley will be Decker's pitching coach.
Andy Skeels is moving from Augusta to San Jose, replacing Decker as manager. Dave Machemer takes over at Augusta after piloting the Giants' rookie-level Arizona League team, and Tom Trebelhorn returns to manage Salem-Keizer.
Dan Rohn will be back to manage Class AAA Fresno.
