There will be a new manager at the helm in Columbia this year, but a familiar face. Jesus Azuaje has served as the team’s hitting coach since 2021. He was announced as the team’s next manager earlier in the week. He takes over for Tony Pena Jr. who will assume a new role as the organization’s Minor League Infield Coordinator. Azuaje joined the Royals staff in 2015 as a hitting coach in the minors, after a 13-year playing career.

Ari Adut returns this season as the hitting coach, with John Habyan returning as the pitching coach for another season. New additions to this year’s staff include, assistant hitting coach Kyle MacKinnon, and assistant pitching coach Sam Freeman.

Minor Leaguers to keep an eye on this season in Columbia

Players to watch in 2024 will be highlighted by the eighth overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. Catcher Blake Mitchell out of Clear Lake, Texas should debut in Low-A. Young returners such as Austin Charles, Lizandro Rodriguez, and Daniel Vazquez should make for a solid infield. Outfielders with a chance to show growth are Spencer Nivens and Erick Peña. Peña struggled last year with an obscene strikeout rate near 50%. Later in the year, that landed him on the Development List. Hopefully, he can rediscover some promise at the plate with another full offseason under his belt.

With Carson Roccaforte likely to move up, newcomers Erick Torres and Milo Rushford could play into the mix as well. They’ll likely factor in more later in the year if either of those above is ready to make the mid-season jump to the next level.

In the rotation, starting pitchers Hiro Wyatt and Blake Wolters should look to fill the roles of Frank Mozzicato and Ben Kudrna. Each of the 2021 draftees started last season in Columbia but earned mid-season promotions to Quad Cities. Both should start 2024 back in Davenport looking to prove themselves once again.