The Royals are adding two seasoned evaluators to their pro personnel group, bringing in Dana LeVangie and Johnny Almaraz as part of a broader offseason shuffle.
Kansas City general manager J.J. Picollo confirmed both hires Tuesday at the annual GM meetings in Las Vegas, calling them “Two experienced guys,” and laying out why each fits.
“LeVangie has a lot of time in the major leagues as an advanced scout and major league coach. Johnny has worn a lot of different hats across baseball.
Very well respected and he actually knows our system well. He’s been assigned our system for the last couple of years.
Two welcome additions for sure.”
LeVangie arrives after more than 30 years with the Boston Red Sox, where he worked in several roles and most recently served in the scouting department under Red Sox general manager Craig Breslow. His move to Kansas City was first reported last week.
Breslow was candid about what Boston is losing.
“It’s a tough loss for the Red Sox,” Breslow said at the GM meetings. “He’s a phenomenal teammate who contributed in multiple roles. But I think the overarching sentiment is he cares deeply about the organization that he’s joining.”
LeVangie’s résumé includes time as a bullpen catcher and pitching coach with the Red Sox, and he was part of four World Series during his run with the organization. Breslow also praised the way he works.
“He is selfless and willing to work as hard as anybody to try and help an organization,” Breslow continued. “And (he is) a phenomenal person.
He’s going to find a way to positively impact the Royals. I’ve got no doubt about it.”
Almaraz comes over after a recent stint with the Miami Marlins, but his background stretches much further across the league. He has scouting experience with the Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies, and his track record includes helping sign Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies, Adam Dunn and Johnny Cueto.
Kansas City already has a strong pro scouting department, and Almaraz is expected to add fresh ideas to the mix.
The moves are part of an active offseason for the Royals. The club reassigned hitting coach Alec Zumwalt to the minors and parted ways with most of the training staff. Last week, Kansas City also hired Hunter Mense to join the hitting department.
Mense will work alongside Connor Dawson and Marcus Thames next season, while the additions of LeVangie and Almaraz give the Royals more experienced eyes in the organization - moves that could pay off in 2027.
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