Kernels veteran takes the reins in first managerial job

CEDAR RAPIDS - It worked out pretty well for the Los Angeles Angels when they named a former catcher to be their manager back in 2000. Hello, Mike Scioscia, anyone?

Perhaps having a former receiver leading the way will mean just as much success this season for the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

“I didn't know it was going to happen this soon,” first-year manager Brent Del Chiaro said Tuesday. “But I'm excited about this opportunity.”

“Delly” has been a hitting coach in the parent Angels farm system for three years, including the previous two in Cedar Rapids. The 31-year-old Berkeley, Calif., native and former Kansas Jayhawk played for the Kernels in 2002 as a spare catcher behind big leaguers Jeff Mathis and Mike Napoli.

He said there's a reason more and more catchers are getting manager opportunities at all levels of baseball. Their experience working with the hitting and pitching parts of the game are a distinct advantage.

“You look at the game forward,” Del Chiaro said. “Whereas when you're a position player, the game is behind you.

“I'm excited about that aspect of it. Game calling, especially (working) with the catchers. Handling pitchers, talking to pitchers, positioning guys (defensively). That's all stuff I had to pay attention to as a catcher.”

Del Chiaro coached third base much of last season, so he's got experience with that important aspect of being a manager in the minor leagues. His familiarity with the Midwest League and all of its travel should be a boon, too.

So should his knack for, ahem, acquiring opposing teams' signals.

The Kernels' season opener is Thursday night at Peoria. The home opener is Monday night against Wisconsin.

“I love him,” second baseman Wes Hatton said. “He can relate to the players and everything really well … He's laid back when he needs to be, but he'll jump your (butt) whenever he feels it's necessary. I think he's going to do great as a manager.”

Del Chiaro was quick to point out how comfortable he is with his coaching staff already.

Hitting coach Mike Eylward played with him on that 2002 Kernels team. He was at Rookie-level Orem last season.

Pitching coach Trevor Wilson pitched in 169 games over parts of eight seasons in the major leagues with the Angels and San Francisco Giants.

“Spring training went by fast,” Del Chiaro said. “Major league camp was me more watching and learning. I'd fill in here and there, but I'd kind of just stay out of the way. But once we got our work group, our team, together, spring training just flew. As a hitting coach for three years, I watched the hitters. On defense, I'd watch the catchers.

“Now I've got a wider spectrum of things to look at. The situation stuff comes into play now. The matchups, things like that. In spring training, you try to get a feel for how guys react. Can a guy handle a hit and run? Can he handle a bunt? Now it's like, OK, we've got that evaluation part of the process out of the way. Now it's time to play the matchup game. I'm excited about it. We'll see what happens?”