New Texas Rangers coaches start process of building trust

The annual Texas Rangers minicamp has always served as a get-to-know-you for players and coaches who might be new to the organization or who are getting a chance to taste the major leagues after a few seasons in the minors.

A year ago players got a chance to feel out new manager Jeff Banister and three other coaches new to the dugout. Right-hander Nick Martinez was first introduced to many on the big-league staff two years ago, nearly three months before he was the surprise addition to the season-opening rotation.

This week has been no exception, and with a new pitching coach and a new hitting coach for 2016, this minicamp might rate as more important than the meet-and-greet with Banister 12 months ago.

Putting names with faces has ramped up in earnest for Doug Brocail, who is replacing Mike Maddux after seven seasons, and Anthony Iapoce, who is taking charge of the hitters after four seasons under Dave Magadan.

The continuity Rangers players had with the coaches they will work closest with is gone. For Brocail and Iapoce, the all-important trust-building is underway and will take off once spring training arrives.

“This week isn’t even about hitting,” Iapoce said. “It’s just about connecting and making the relationships with the players to trust instead of coming on board and pinpointing the negatives. You want to come in and build relationships.

“It’s a huge challenge, even with a young guy in this day and age. You just go in with a learning attitude and learn from those players and respect the fact that they’re really good and you’ll be there for them and do whatever you can. I think that’s how the trust will be established.”

Iapoce and Brocail aren’t dealing with veterans this week. Adrian Beltre, Cole Hamels and Prince Fielder aren’t at the minicamp, though they will be around this weekend for the awards banquet and Fan Fest.

Shortstop Elvis Andrus, second baseman Rougned Odor and third baseman Joey Gallo have all had some form of contact with Iapoce.

Gallo said that he turned to friend and fellow Las Vegas native Kris Bryant, the reigning National League rookie of the year who worked with Iapoce in the Chicago Cubs organization, for some background info.

“He said, ‘I love him. He’s a really good hitting coach and will help you a lot,’ ” Gallo said.

Iapoce learned from his days as a roving hitting coach that it’s not always swing mechanics that are causing a slump. Off-the-field issues can break down a hitter just as easily as a nasty slider, and take away the focus needed to achieve Iapoce’s goal of winning each pitch.

That’s why he and Brocail want to know their players beyond what happens on the field. Brocail, a former Rangers reliever, said that he wants to learn as much as he can about a player, right down to if he has any pets.

Brocail struggled with getting through to pitchers when he was the Houston Astros’ pitching coach for 2  1/2 seasons. He called on other coaches for tips, and even started to study psychology.

Ultimately, he wants his players to feel as little stress as possible and to focus on the positives.

“I’m not that guy that comes in and says, ‘Hey, let’s go out on the field and get to work,’ ” Brocail said. “I get to know who they are. It’s communication.

“You have to earn the trust of the pitchers. Stuff like we’re doing today. Getting in, listening to them, asking questions, getting to know the pitchers.”

That process started this week for Brocail and Iapoce, and will ramp up in earnest next month at spring training.

“The more that we talk, the more comfortable it gets,” Andrus said. “Until we get to spring training and work more in the field, that’s when you create that relationship.”

This story was originally published January 20, 2016 at 2:20 PM with the headline "New Texas Rangers coaches start process of building trust."