Cubs’ MiLB Coaching Assignments Follow Recent Trends in Player Development Philosophy

Photo via @Pelicanbaseball TwitterThe Cubs finalized their minor league affiliate coaching staffs and coordinators for the 2021 season on Monday morning, announcing decisions that had probably been made long ago but had been awaiting official word on league structures.

It may have seemed like a series of formalities on the surface, but a deeper dive into these personnel choices and some of the unmentioned support staff choices reveals a few developmental trends worth mentioning.

At first glance, it looks like there are a lot of new hitting coaches. Actually, most were hired last year but never got a shot at coaching. From Dan Puente in Myrtle Beach to Rachel Folden in the Arizona Rookie…