Dodgers Add Six More Staff Members to their International Scouting Department

The Dodgers continue to strengthen their international scouting and player development department this offseason, and today it was announced that they have hired six additional personnel.

The Dodgers have made a flurry of offseason hiring moves in order to bolster their international scouting department. Photo: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

With this big hiring blitz it just reflects how neglected the international market was during the McCourt regime. The GBM is making a huge effort to revitalize that important aspect of player development for the organization. The new owners had said that they will be revamping the franchise not only in signing through free agency, but also laying the foundation for increased international presence, and also by restocking the depleted farm system.

The six men hired are Pedro Avila, Gene Grimaldi, Patrick Guerrero, Pat Kelly, Jamey Storvick, and Mike Tosar. These six new scouts will be reporting to Bob Engle, the newly appointed Vice President of International Scouting. They all had worked with Engle previously in Seattle. The Dodger essentially have hired the entire Seattle international scouting staff in one swift move.

Each scout will cover a specific area. Pedro Avila will be coordinator for Venezuela scouting development, Gene Grimaldi will cover European endeavors, Patrick Guerrero will handle Latin America, Pat Kelly will be the liaison for the Pacific Rim, Jamey Storvick will be the special assignment scout for the Pacific Rim area, and Mike Tosar will coordinate international efforts in Mexico and Cuba.

Ned Colletti, who has announced all of these recent hires had this to say:

"“The experience and international knowledge these scouts possess will benefit our organization immediately.”"

Colletti also announced that the Dodgers have hired Josh Bard as a special assistant, player personnel. If you remember, Bard was the backup

Josh Bard is hired as a special assistant, player personnel. Photo: Rick Scuteri-US PRESSWIRE

catcher for the AAA-Isotopes last season backing up Tim Federowicz. FedEx is expected to be the second catcher on the big club this season alongside A.J. Ellis. Willie Fraser and Scott Groot were also hired as professional scouts. Bill Mueller, former third baseman for the Dodgers and prior special assistant, player personnel, will now move into a full-time professional scouting role. Fraser was a scout with the Angels since 2010, and he is a former Major League pitcher. Groot used to work for the Dodgers from 1998-2004, and has worked as a scout for the Kansas City Royals since 2010. Mueller has been with the Dodgers since 2009 when he began as an assistant to Ned Colletti.

Stan Kasten has said that they are “pretty much done” as far as baseball operations. He said this about the total lack of international presence from the Dodgers in the recent years:

"“The fact the Dodgers were dead last in international signings, that was hard to believe,” said Kasten. “For me, it’s a priority, and not just signing players as the end result, but getting the people to sign the players.”"

The Dodgers are expected to announce the coaching staff tomorrow which includes newly hired hitting coach Mark McGuire.