Carlos Arroyo played, then turned Phillies minors coach

Carlos Arroyo was someone who grew up in the Phillies organization, someone who played in the minors and someone who has gone on to a long career as a coach in the organization, Phillies GM Ruben Amero Jr. told MLB.com in 2012.

The occasion for Amero speaking was Arroyo receiving an organizational award for his dedication and service to the team.

"He still works very closely with many of our Latin American players that come through Clearwater and other parts of our organization," Amero told MLB.com. "He's one of those very unselfish grunt workers who had had a great impact on a lot of our young players throughout the years."

Arroyo's time through the years with the Phillies began as a player for 1975, signed by the team as an undrafted free agent out of his native Puerto Rico.
Arroyo started at rookie Pulaski, getting 10 outings, nine starts, going 3-5. He moved to single-A Spartanburg in 1976, then single-A Peninsula in 1977. In 1976, Arroyo made the league All-Star team, named the league's best left-handed pitcher.

In May 1978, Arroyo picked up a win for AA Reading in a complete-game effort. Arroyo made AAA Oklahoma City in 1979, but never made Philadelphia. He played his final game in 1981.

Soon after, he started his coaching career. By 1985, he was pitching coach at single-A Spartanburg. By 1990, Arroyo was at short-season Batavia, working with young pitcher Al Baur.

"If Al came straight over the top every time, he could get his whole body into the pitch," Arroyo told The Philadelphia Daily News that July. "He'd throw harder and more consistently. That's what I kept preaching: mechanics."

Arroyo continued as a pitching coach in the minors. He moved to AA Reading in 1992. In 2002, Arroyo found a home in the rookie Gulf Coast League, credited as pitching coach there over at least eight seasons.

Also in 2002, Arroyo even got a mention as a possible pitching coach in Philadelphia, Arroyo credited as working "wonders" with pitcher Vicente Padilla. In 2008, Arroyo spoke to MiLB.com about working with the young Phillies pitchers in the GCL, specifically starter Reginal Simon.

"I've been preaching about throwing strikes and avoiding walks all season to these kids," Arroyo told MiLB.com. "And (Simon) went out there with a lot of confidence, stayed under control and didn't make the mistake of overthrowing his pitches."

• Philadelphia Daily News, July 27, 1990: Baur's Dream: Return To South Philly
• MiLB.com, Aug. 31, 2008: Phillies weather Nationals for GCL title
  
• MLB.com, Aug. 10, 2012: Phils to honor loyal rehab pitching coach Arroyo

More: The 1990 Batavia Clippers

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,182
Made the Majors: 678 - 57.4%
Never Made Majors: 504-42.6%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 292
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 174