Friendly faces return as Cards unveil Minor League staff

The Cardinals on Wednesday announced the crop of names that will lead their Minor League ranks in 2022, a list that features some new yet familiar faces, some introductions to the organization and some changed roles for longtime staffers.

Chief among the introductions were former Cardinal All-Stars in outfielder Ryan Ludwick and closer Jason Isringhausen, each of whom will serve in special advisor roles. Ludwick, for his part, was present for part of the Major League season last year as an unofficial hitting instructor and will now rove around the Minor League ranks. Isringhausen has also served as an aide to relievers in year's past, with Alex Reyes crediting him for his mentorship during his All-Star first half in 2021.

Along the vein of instructors, fan favorite and infield guru Jose Oquendo has moved into a “coordinator of instruction” title after serving in the role of infield instructor last season. Tim Leveque also returns as senior pitching coordinator and Russ Steinhorn as hitting coordinator across the Minors.

Further down the farm, Patrick Anderson was introduced as the manager for High-A Peoria and longtime Minor League skipper Gary Kendall was named the bench boss for Low-A Palm Beach. Kendall was most recently manager for the Norfolk Tides, the Triple-A affiliate of the Orioles, after spending nearly 30 years with the organization. Anderson was most recently manager for the Princeton WhistlePigs, a summer collegiate baseball team of the Appalachian League, after serving as a manager in the Nationals’ system.

The managers, hitting coaches and pitching coaches for Triple-A Memphis and Double-A Springfield remain unchanged. Here is the full listing of the Cardinals’ Minor League coaching and development staff: