As it always happens in every off-season, there was a lot of turnover in the Cleveland Guardians’ Player Development department.
They continually recruit and develop brilliant player development people, and it’s one of the reasons they have been so competitive in the last decade or so.
However, much of this talent often goes to other organizations in search for promotions or pay raises, leaving the Guards on the lookout for replacements.
This week, they announced a series of promotions and hirings in their player development department.
“Stephen Osterer promoted to Guardians farm director (Rob Cerfolio’s prev role). Had been part of player development. Marc Mumper is the new bench coach in Akron. Heard tons of great things about him in Lake County last year. And Alyssa Nakken’s hiring is official here too,” team reporter @Justin_L posted on X.
Stephen Osterer promoted to Guardians farm director (Rob Cerfolio's prev role). Had been part of player development.
Marc Mumper is the new bench coach in Akron. Heard tons of great things about him in Lake County last year.
And Alyssa Nakken's hiring is official here too. https://t.co/3azHYKKA4l
— Justin L. (jlbaseball on bluesky) (@JL_Baseball) November 27, 2024
Replacing Cerfolio is not an easy task.
He left after the St. Louis Cardinals gave him a better job position.
The Guardians promoted Osterer to oversee the entire farm, one of the best in the game under Cerfolio.
Osterer had been Cleveland’s Director of Pitching Development for the last three campaigns.
Before that, he was the team’s Pitching Resource Coordinator in 2020 and 2021.
Osterer will have three Assistant directors of player development: one promoted from within, Will Huntington, and one hired from outside the organization, Alyssa Nakken.
They will join Ilana Mishkin, who retains her role for another year after being around since 2019 as a Baseball Operations Fellow.
Alex Eckelman will be the Senior Vice-president of Hitting.
The team hopes this extremely talented group of baseball specialists can take them to the top.
NEXT: Key Stat Highlights Just How Dominant Guardians' Closer Was In 2024
