Former major-league players Tony Pena Jr. and Brooks Conrad are taking on managerial roles in the Royals’ minor-league system, according to a club news release set to be unveiled on Wednesday.
Pena. Jr., who played shortstop for the Royals from 2007 to 2009 and whose father Tony managed the club from 2002 to 2005, will enter his first season as the manager at Rookie-level Surprise. Conrad, who played parts of six seasons in the majors with Oakland and Atlanta, among other teams, will manage at Rookie-level Burlington.
In addition, another familiar face will replace manager Vance Wilson at Class AA Northwest Arkansas.