The Oakland A's announced the 2017 coaching staff for their Triple-A affiliate on Tuesday.
Ryan Christenson is the new manager after guiding the Double-A RockHounds to two straight league championships and earning Texas League Manager of the Year honors last year. The former A's outfielder has made a dynamic rise up the system as a coach, as his teams have made the playoffs each of the last four seasons -- Single-A Beloit in 2013, High-A Stockton in 2014, and Double-A Midland the last two years. Now he’s got the top job at the highest level of the minors, just one step away from the bigs.