White Sox bring in Grudzielanek to manage Class AAA Charlotte

At the end of a fourth straight losing season, Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn promised change, from the top of the organization down to the minor-league level.

There's already been a switch at manager, with bench coach Rick Renteria replacing the departed Robin Ventura.

On Wednesday, the Sox announced several changes on their player development staff, highlighted by Mark Grudzielanek being named Class AAA Charlotte manager.

Grudzielanek, who played 15 seasons in the major leagues, spent the last two years in the Diamondbacks' system. He was Arizona's assistant minor-league coordinator this past season and Class A Kane County manager in 2015.

"We're excited to have Mark join the organization," said Chris Getz, the White Sox's new director of player development. "He was a guy we identified early on. He had an extensive career experience as a player. We looked at him as a guy who has a high ceiling, is very knowledgeable and we're excited to add him to the Triple-A managerial position. I think he's going to be a great asset to our organization, not only now, but long term."

Willie Harris, who played on the Sox' 2005 World Series championship team, will manage high Class A Winston-Salem after making his professional coaching debut last season as the hitting coach at Advanced Rookie Great Falls.

The White Sox also named Richard Dotson minor-league pitching coordinator and Mike Gellinger minor-league hitting coordinator.

Dotson was Charlotte's pitching coach from 2008-16. Gellinger, a standout baseball player at Fremd High School, is entering his 29th season in the Sox's organization.

"Dotson, going into the pitching coordinator role, we're excited," said Getz, who played for the White Sox in 2008-09. "He's been in the organization for the while as a player, as a pitching coach as well. He's a very intelligent person, a person that relates very well to players. I have a history with (Gellinger) as well. At the major league-level, he was a hitting coach when I was there. He's got a great temperament about him, a great understanding of hitting."

The White Sox also named former field coordinator Kirk Champion director of minor-league instruction.