Detroit — With the hiring last September of 40-year-old Ryan Garko, general manager Al Avila made clear it was the dawn of a new era for how the Tigers player development department was going to operate.
“We identified this position as the second most important in the organization next to the general manager position as we move forward,” Avila said.
On Thursday, the Tigers’ unveiled a revamped player development staff, put together by first-year vice president Garko, which includes new managers at both Triple-A Toledo (Gary Jones) and Double-A Erie (Gabe Alvarez).
Kenny Graham, who had taken over the player development department on an interim basis last season after the Tigers transitioned David Littlefield into scouting, stays on staff as the director of player development.