"I was around [Black] during Spring Training and saw his work ethic, attention to detail and the way he connected with all the players, not just the pitchers," Espy said.
Black's former teammates in the Rockies' chain include Minor League pitching coaches Doug Jones (with the Indians) and Dave Burba (Giants), and Triple-A manager Glenallen Hill (Blue Jays). Class A pitching coach Brandon Emanuel was an Angels prospect when Black was the Major League pitching coach.
The closest baseball connection is with Mark Wiley, who since 2013 has guided the Rockies' pitching philosophy in the Majors and Minors as the director of pitching operations.