Fernandez returning to lead ACL Dodgers in 2023
Jair Fernandez will return to lead the Dodgers' Arizona Complex League team in 2023 after the organization revealed its Minor League coaching staffs on Feb. 7. Fernandez, a former catcher who played in the Minors from 2005-2013, led the ACL Dodgers to a 25-29 record last season in the ACL
Jair Fernandez will return to lead the Dodgers' Arizona Complex League team in 2023 after the organization revealed its Minor League coaching staffs on Feb. 7.
Fernandez, a former catcher who played in the Minors from 2005-2013, led the ACL Dodgers to a 25-29 record last season in the ACL West. He'll be joined in the dugout by hitting coaches Danny Dorn, Blake Gailen and Johermyn Chavez along with pitching coaches Andres Urbina and Luis Vasquez. Fans can view the full Minor League coaching assignments on MLB.com.
The 2023 staff for the ACL Dodgers is below:
Arizona Complex League Dodgers (Rookie)
Manager: Jair Fernandez
Hitting coach: Danny Dorn
Hitting coach: Blake Gailen
Hitting coach: Johermyn ChavezPitching coach: Andres Urbina
Pitching coach: Luis VasquezBench coach: Johan Garcia
Coach/complex coordinator: Fumi Ishibashi
Coach/baseball tech associate: Zoe Hicks
Athletic trainer: Alfredo Casillas
Assistant athletic trainer: Zoe HicksPerformance coach: Jose Gutierrez
Performance associate: Irma Maldonado
Performance operations assistant: Marlon CairoVideo/development associate: Jade Gortarez
Video/development associate: Joe Nadler
The 36-year-old Fernandez signed with Seattle out of Colombia and debuted in 2005. He made his Triple-A debut with Tacoma in 2006 before joining the Twins in 2008. He spent the 2012 season in the Astros system, reaching Triple-A Oklahoma City, before appearing in 18 games for the Cubs' Double-A affiliate in 2013. In 470 career games, the backstop hit .242 with 22 homers and 179 RBIs. He was a Midwest League All-Star with Beloit in 2008.
Dorn, 38, appeared in 23 Major League games with Arizona in 2015, going 5-for-32. He spent most of his career in the Minors, debuting in 2006 and appearing in 1,010 games through 2015. In 4,010 career Minor League at-bats, the former infielder hit .286 with 156 homers and 592 RBIs.
Gailen, 37, is a California native who played from 2007-2021, mostly with independent and foreign clubs. He spent five seasons in the Minors, hitting .249 with 21 homers and 105 RBIs. He hit .279 with 18 homers and 72 RBIs in 90 games with Lancaster in the Atlantic League in 2021.
Chavez, 34, was an outfielder from 2006-17. He reached Double-A Tennessee with the Cubs in 2013 and later saw time in the Atlanic League and in Japan.
Urbina, 26, pitched for the Dodgers in the Dominican Summer League from 2016-17, appearing in 41 games.
The ACL Dodgers play at Camelback Ranch in Phoenix.
Danny Wild is an editor for MiLB.com.
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