River Bandits announce coaching staff, new manager

The Quad Cities River Bandits, in conjunction with the Kansas City Royals, have announced their 2025 coaching staff, led by Manager Jesus Azuaje.

The Quad Cities River Bandits, in conjunction with the Kansas City Royals, have announced their 2025 coaching staff, led by Manager Jesus Azuaje.

The skipper is joined by: Derrick Lewis, pitching coach; Ryan Powers, hitting coach; Clayton Mortensen and Kyle MacKinnon, assistant hitting coaches; Chad Gravenorst, strength and conditioning coach; and Nevan Dominguez, athletic trainer .

Coach Azuaje enters his 11th season – third managerial – in the Royals’ organization and takes the reins in Davenport after managing the Columbia Fireflies (Single-A) to a 68-63 record in 2024 and the ACL Royals (Rookie) to a 31-25 record in 2023. He spent the previous eight seasons serving as hitting coach in Burlington (2015-2016), Lexington (2017-2020), and Columbia (2021-2022).

Prior to joining the Royals, Mr. Azuaje spent six seasons as a manager and coach in the Seattle Mariners organization, including a stint in the Midwest League as hitting coach for Clinton (Single-A) in 2009, and as Latin America field coordinator for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2014.

The 52-year-old supersedes Brooks Conrad, who managed the River Bandits over the past three seasons, including a second-half west division title in 2024.

The 2025 Opening Day is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport. 

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