Shoemaker becomes third manager in Great Lakes' history
MIDLAND -- Former Camelback Ranch Coordinator John Shoemaker will serve as the third manager in Great Lakes’ franchise history and will be joined by former Camelback Ranch Senior Hitting Coach Lenny Harris, and former Ogden Raptors pitching coach Kremlin Martinez.Shoemaker most recently spent two seasons in his former position as the Camelback Ranch – Glendale Coordinator, where he oversaw the year-round minor league operations of the facility. Shoemaker, who has served as a player, coach, manager or coordinator in the Dodgers organization since 1977, has compiled a 313-247 record in that time, winning league championships with Single-A Savannah (South Atlantic League, 1996) and Double-A Jacksonville (Southern League, 2005).
The Loons new skipper has managed several minor league teams: Single-A Vero Beach (1987-88, 1997-98, 2000), Double-A San Antonio (1989-91), rookie-level St. Lucie (1992), Single-A Yakima (1993), rookie-level Great Falls (1995),Single-A Savannah (1996), Double-A Jacksonville (2001, 2005-08), and Triple-A Las Vegas (2003). He was a hitting coach for Vero Beach (1981-86, 1994) and San Antonio (1999).
Harris just recently began his coaching career in 2006 as the Nationals Minor League Infield Coordinator, after spending 18 years in the big leagues (1988-2005). He spent the 2008 season as the Washington Nationals hitting coach and joined the Dodgers in 2009 as their Camelback Ranch Senior Hitting Coach, where he has served for two years. From his playing career, Harris is MLB’s all-time leader in pinch hits with 212, and also ranks fourth with 90 pinch-hit RBI. He has played for the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, and Florida Marlins.
Martinez enters his first year as the Loons pitching coach and eighth year with the Dodgers organization. He served as the same position for Ogden in 2010, and for the rookie-level Dominican Summer League Dodgers from 2006-09. In 2004-05, Martinez was a part-time scout and assistant pitching coach in the Dominican Republic. As a player, he was signed by the Cleveland Indians out of the D.R. in 1999 and played two seasons in the organization. He underwent knee surgery in 2000 and retired in 2001.
Former Loons manager Juan Bustabad (2008-10) has been promoted to Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, alongside hitting coach Michael Boughton (2010). Former Loons pitching coach Chuck Crim (2010) has been promoted to Double-A Chattanooga.
