Kip Wells, Jay Gibbons join Dodgers Class-A Rancho Cucamonga 2016 coaching staff

LOS ANGELES -- Former big league pitcher Kip Wells joins the Dodgers organization as pitching coach for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, joining new manager Drew Saylor's staff for 2016. The Dodgers announced their minor league coaching staffs on Thursday.

Hitting coach Jay Gibbons and fourth coach Rafael Ozuna round out the Quakes' staff.

This is the first pro coaching experience for Wells, who pitched for parts of 12 major league seasons (1999-2012) for the White Sox, Pirates, Rangers, Cardinals, Rockies, Royals, Nationals, Reds and Padres. He last pitched in 2013, making six starts for Triple-A Salt Lake in the Angels' system.

Wells, who turns 39 in April, has more opening day starts (two) than Sandy Koufax (one), starting in 2004 for the Pirates and 2008 for the Rockies.

Wells will be on the staff of Saylor, who came to the Dodgers after four years coaching in the Rockies' system, including two seasons managing short-season Class-A Tri City (2012-2013).

Saylor, who turned 32 last Saturday, is the youngest manager in the Dodgers' system.

"Drew is diligent, organized and positive. He wants to see our players improve and will ensure that outcome through his professionalism and work ethic," Dodgers director of player development Gabe Kapler said. "Nobody will out prepare him, and we're betting on Drew to make a substantial mark in our organization both on our athletes and on his peers."

Saylor was in the California League in 2015 as well, serving as hitting coach for the Modesto Nuts.

Gibbons, who turns 39 in March, is in his second season as a coach, both in the Dodgers' system, after serving as hitting coach for Class-A Great Lakes in 2015.

Ozuna, 41, returns for a fifth season as a Dodgers minor league coach, and his second straight season with the Quakes.

Bill Haselman has moved on to manage Triple-A Oklahoma City, and Bill Simas is now the pitching coach for Double-A Tulsa.