New Zealand Diamondblacks Manager Scott Campbell today announced the team’s coaching staff for the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC) Qualifiers held in Panama City, Panama, from September 30^th – October 6^th 2022.

Campbell’s staff consists of bench coach Daniel Tan, pitching coach Brian Anderson, hitting coach Darren Bragg, third base/infield coach Albert Quintana, and bullpen coach Brian Matusz.

Tan, New Zealand’s player development manager, is one of the country’s most experienced domestic coaches and most recently was pinned to lead the under-23 national team during their WBSC World Cup Qualifying campaign in Canberra, Australia until covid ruled him out at the last minute. Tan earned his first experience in professional baseball as the third base coach for the Auckland Tuatara during their second season in the ABL and is making his return to the World Baseball Classic, after representing New Zealand as a player in the 2012 qualifiers held in Taiwan.

Anderson, a five-year MLB veteran, joins the DiamondBlack’s staff after recently coaching at the University of Arizona and Pima Community College. His impressive playing career includes being drafted in the 1^st round of the 2003 MLB Amateur Draft and winning a World Series with the 2005 Chicago White Sox in his rookie year. Anderson’s recent experience coaching at the college level is a natural fit with New Zealand’s young pitching staff.

Darren Bragg offers a familiar voice to the DiamondBlack’s hitters, with his role as the Auckland Tuatara hitting coach providing him with a wealth of local knowledge. Bragg, an eleven-year Major League veteran, has been a minor league coach with the Cincinnati Reds since 2007 and will be one of the most experienced members in the Campbells’ staff.

Quintana, a former Toronto Blue Jays prospect alongside Scott Campbell, currently runs Legends Baseball Academy in Pasadena, California and has a strong track record of helping young players reach their potential. As a former catcher, Quintana is well placed to assist with the team’s defensive strategy and will also take control of the third base coaching duties.

Matusz, an eight-year MLB veteran, is a new voice within the Diamondblack’s environment and will serve as the teams’ bullpen coach. Matusz was the fourth overall pick in the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft and spent the majority of his career with the Baltimore Orioles.

The Diamondblack’s will assemble in Arizona on September 20^th for a lead-up tour before departing to Panama. The final 28-player roster plus 7 non-travelling alternate players, will be announced in the lead-up to the Diamondblack’s first game against Brazil at Rod Carew National Stadium. All games throughout the tournament will be live streamed on Youtube & MLB.TV, with first pitch against Brazil scheduled for 5am, October 1^st NZST.

Article added: Thursday 15 September 2022