State College Spikes Manager and Coaches for 2017

Manager: Joe Kruzel assumes the duties as manager at State College for the 2017 season. He has an extensive coaching resume. Kruzel was the head baseball coach at the University of Toledo (1993-2003) and was also an assistant coach at the college level (Toledo 1989-92) and Miami University (2005). He was the hitting coach for the Gulf Coast League Reds (Rookie) in 2006 and managed the Billings Mustangs (Pioneer League) in 2007. In 2008 he served as hitting coach for the Batavia Muckdogs (NYPL). Kruzel was the hitting coach for the Quad Cities River Bandits (Midwest League) from 2009-12 and managed Johnson City (Appalachian) in 2013. He managed the Peoria Chiefs (Midwest) from 2014-16.

Pitching Coach: Darwin Marrero is back for his third season as the Spikes pitching coach. He pitched in the Montreal Expos organization (1998-2004) including parts of two seasons (1999, 2001) with Vermont in the New York-Penn League. Marrero began his coaching career in 2005 as a player/coach with the Capitales de Quebec in the Can-Am League (independent league). Prior to being assigned to State College, he was the pitching coach for the Gulf Coast Cardinals (Rookie) for two seasons.

Hitting Coach: Roger LaFrancois returns for his third year as a Spikes coach. LaFrancois was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 8th round of the 1977 amateur draft out of the University of Oklahoma. He played eight years in the minor leagues and spent the entire 1982 MLB season with the Red Sox. In addition to several other stops as a player and coach, LaFrancois has been a player (Elmira 1977), manager (Jamestown, 1988; Pittsfield, 1998) and coach (Brooklyn Cyclones, 2003; Batavia Muckdogs, 2010-12) in the New York-Penn League.

Athletic Trainer: Chris Whitman is in his second season with State College. He spent three years as Athletic Trainer for the Johnson City Cardinals (Appalachian League). Whitman is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh.

Strength and Conditioning Coach: Jordan Brown is in his first year with the Spikes. He spent the 2016 as the Strength and Conditioning Coach with the Johnson City Cardinals (Appalachian League). Brown is a graduate of the University of Hartford and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

Photo Credits: MiLB,com, Go Sports Cards, Linkedin

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