After successful stop at Class A Winston-Salem, Vizquel to manage AA Birmingham this season
Last season, the White Sox's high Class A Winston-Salem farm team was loaded with talented prospects like Dylan Cease, Luis Robert, Blake Rutherford, Micker Adolfo and Luis Gonzalez.
The Dash went 84-54 and were named the Top Class A team in the minor leagues by Baseball America.
Omar Vizquel was Winston-Salem's manager in 2018, and the Sox on Tuesday announced he'll fill the same role with AA Birmingham this season.
Why break up a good thing?
Most of his best players from last year are positioned to be promoted to Birmingham this season, so moving Vizquel up a level makes sense for the White Sox.
In other player development staff news Tuesday, Frank Menechino was named hitting coach for Class AAA Charlotte and Wes Helms was hired as a coach for Birmingham.
Originally drafted by the Sox in 1993, Menechino batted .240 over eight major-league seasons with the A's and Blue Jays.
Menechino was the Marlins' assistant hitting coach from 2014-18 and former Miami slugger Giancarlo Stanton gave him big credit after hitting 59 home runs and driving in 132 in 2017.
Helms, who played 13 years in the majors, was bench coach for Class AAA Lehigh in the Phillies' system last season.
SoxFest guest list:
The White Sox announced additional invitations to SoxFest, which runs Jan, 25-27 at the Hilton Chicago.
For the first time since 2011, his final year as White Sox manager, Ozzie Guillen will attend the annual winter gathering.
Hall of Famer Frank Thomas, Bo Jackson and team ambassadors John Cangelosi, Michael Huff, Ron Kittle and Dan Pasqua will also be at SoxFest.
First baseman/designated hitter Yonder Alonso and minor-league catcher Seby Zavala are new on the players' list.
The White Sox announced Saturday-only passes are sold out. A limited number of Sunday-only and two-day passes for SoxFest are still available.