LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers' two rookie-level affiliates — in Ogden and in Arizona — are geared toward development, the coaches in place so far lend nicely to that role.
With rosters often nearly filled with this season's draft picks and other young international players, these stops are usually the very first organized professional baseball, at least domestically, for many. So it is fitting that John Shoemaker, the Dodgers' appointed captain of player development is managing in the Arizona League.
Shoemaker, 59, managed the AZL Dodgers in 2014, then managed Ogden last year. The definition of a baseball lifer, Shoemaker has coached in the Dodgers system since 1981, and 2016 will be his 23rd season as a manager.