A former pitcher with Midwest League experience is assigned to the Lake County Captains coaching staff for the 2017 season.

Jason Blanton will serve as Lake County’s pitching coach. He pitched in the Chicago Cubs organization for three seasons, and tossed 11 innings for the Lansing Lugnuts in 2001. (The Lugnuts, now affiliated with the Toronto Blue Jays, were a Cubs farm team from 1999 to 2004.) He also pitched five seasons in independent leagues, primarily the Atlantic League.

Blanton worked with USA Baseball before serving as a pitching coach in the Seattle Mariners organization in 2014 and 2015 and in the Atlantic League in 2016. This is his first year in the Cleveland Indians organization.

You can read about the rest of the Captains coaching staff here.

Ramirez inks extension with Tribe

The Indians recently announced they signed former Captains infielder Jose Ramirez to a five-year, $26 million contract extension that includes team options for 2022 and 2023.

Ramirez played 67 games with the Captains in 2012, batting .354 with 3 HR, 27 RBI and 15 SB. He primarily played second base for Lake County.

Ramirez made his major-league debut for the Indians in September 2013. He had a breakthrough year at the plate in 2016, batting .312 with 11 HR, 76 RBI and 22 SB in 152 games. He has been versatile defensively, playing third base, shortstop, second base, and left field in the major leagues.

Hanigan signs with Rockies

Former Dayton Dragons catcher Ryan Hanigan signed a minor-league deal with the Colorado Rockies. He will be paid $1.25 million if he makes the major-league team.

Hanigan played 98 games with the 2002-03 Dragons, batting .276 with 1 HR and 31 RBI. He made his major-league debut for the Cincinnati Reds in September 2007. He most recently played for the Boston Red Sox (2015-16), and also spent the 2014 season behind the plate for the Tampa Bay Rays.