D-backs Hire Shaun Larkin as Director Player Development
The Diamondbacks have filled the vacancy atop their player development system by hiring Shaun Larkin away from the Dodgers to become the new Director of Player of Development. He is replacing Josh Barfield, who left to become the new Assistant General Manager for the Chicago White Sox. The 44 year old Larkin has spent the last three seasons as Field Coordinator in the Dodgers vaunted player development system.
Larkin was a minor league infielder in the Cleveland Guardians organization for for six seasons. He began a coaching career with that organization in 2012 and was hired by the Dodgers in 2015, eventually being promoted to the Field Coordinator role. The Field Coordinator plays a critical role in overseeing the minor league coaches and systems used to develop players. Having spent so many years with the Dodgers and Guardians, two organizations known to have exceptionally strong player development, should be a boon to the Diamondbacks.
Speaking with Nick Piecoro of AZ Central, Mike Hazen talked about the importance of bringing in people with different viewpoints. "I think getting fresh ideas into the organization is something — we have a lot of creative people, but bringing some outside perspectives into the organization in terms of what’s going on in scouting and player development around the game, I think is important.”
The D-backs also promoted Chris Slivka to Assistant Director, Player Development. Slivka has been with the Diamondbacks in various roles for the last nine years, working his way up from intern, to Baseball Operations Assistant, Pro Scout, and player personnel analyst. He played college baseball at Emory university.
The Diamondbacks still have other vacancies to fill, including assistant pitching coach. Recently Barry Enright was hired away to be the Angels head pitching coach. The interview process to fill that position is ongoing.
