Cleveland Indians: Who could replace Mickey Callaway as pitching coach?

The Internal Options

Ruben Niebla – Cleveland Indians minor league pitching coordinator

There are a couple internal options the Cleveland Indians could turn to but for me, the best candidate is Ruben Niebla. He is currently the minor league pitching coordinator with the Cleveland Indians.

He works with pitchers at all levels of the minor leagues, from Rookie Ball through Triple-A. There isn’t a pitcher in the system he hasn’t seen and that could help over the coming years as the young guys start breaking into the big leagues.

Niebla was formerly a pitching coach at multiple levels in the Indians system, notably Triple-A Columbus in 2011 and 2012 where he worked with guys like Corey Kluber and Cody Allen. Niebla was also the Indians’ interim pitching coach at the major league level back in 2012 for two months after they fired Scott Radinsky in early August. Callaway eventually replaced him when Francona was hired.

Niebla is my number one choice and it’s not even close, and while I’m sure the Indians don’t have him quite as far ahead as I do, I’d bet he’s pretty high up the list, possibly even at the top. And if his Twitter account is any indication, sounds like he could already be in Cleveland for an interview.

Jason Bere – Cleveland Indians bullpen coach

Perhaps the Indians’ replacement for Callaway is already on the big league coaching staff. Former big league pitcher Jason Bere has been the team’s bullpen coach for the past couple years, replacing Kevin Cash after he left to manage the Tampa Bay Rays. Bere is probably the option most familiar with the pitchers on the big league roster, which could play to his advantage.

Bere also spent nearly a decade in the Tribe’s front office, working as a special assistant, something we saw John Farrell do before he left to take the Red Sox pitching coach job and eventually the managerial role. He’d be my second choice behind Niebla and could be the front-runner since he’s already on the staff.

Steve Karsay – Columbus Clippers pitching coach

Steve Karsay spent 2017 as the Tribe’s Triple-A pitching coach. He of course also pitched for the Indians over a decade ago and had a solid big league career as a starter and reliever. Karsay joined the Indians coaching ranks back in 2012 when he was the rookie affiliate’s pitching coach.

He may not have the experience the Indians are looking for but he’s an option should the Indians stay in the organization. He could be an option for a bullpen coach as well if Bere gets the pitching coach job.