When Bill Haselman was named manager of the Dodgers Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes last February, he brought with him two things: a tremendous amount of experience that included 13 years as a major league catcher; and a winning attitude that is absolutely infectious.

In addition to his major league experience, Haselman has served as a minor league manager since 2010 – spending time with the Advanced Single-A Bakersfield Blaze (then a Rangers affiliate) and the Inland Empire 66ers (Angels) before being named as manager of the Dodgers Low Single-A Great Lakes Loons in 2014. And when first-year Quakes manager P.J. Forbes resigned unexpectedly this past winter, his replacement was a no-brainer – Bill Haselman.

Not only was Haselman embraced by the Dodgers newly reconstructed front office for his strict yet fair approach towards managing, he was immediately endeared by his players for his strong work ethic and his very clear expectations of each of them – and the results were immediate and absolutely mind-boggling.

The relationship between Quakes manager Bill Haselman and his players is the stuff that championship teams are made of. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Under Haselman, the Quakes took over first place in the highly competitive Cal League South Division a week into the 2015 season and never relinquished it. In fact, during the first half of the season, the Quakes posted winning streaks of six, eight and seven games with a couple of five-game winning streaks thrown in for good measure. The result was a first half record of 41-29 which earned Haselman’s Quakes the first half title and an automatic berth into the Cal League playoffs, which begin on Saturday at LoanMart Field.

But like all minor league teams, the Quakes saw a large number of their best players promoted to Double-A Tulsa and even a couple to Triple-A Oklahoma City during the season. Fortunately for Haselman, he was the recipient of several promotions from the Great Lakes Loons and even a few from the Pioneer Rookie League Ogden Raptors. The result was a second half record of 37-33 – third best in the Cal League South.

Does Haselman feel good about his team’s chances heading in the playoffs, the Quakes first since 2013?

“Absolutely. We have a very good offense,” Haselman said. “Playoffs are all about how you’re playing in the last week. We’re going to have four days off with that [first round] bye so we’re in a little different circumstance than these other teams. There’s a lot involved – it’s getting breaks early on, momentum – that’s how it works in the playoffs. I’m confident in these guys and I totally believe in them.”

That very good offense that Haselman is speaking of includes Dodgers top first base prospect Cody Bellinger, who led the team in nearly every offensive category including his team-high 30 home runs and Cal League-leading 103 RBIs.

There is zero doubt that the Quakes wouldn’t have finished as well as they did were it not for Dodgers top first base prospect Cody Bellinger. The 20-year-old Chandler, AZ native was named to both the first and second half Cal League All-Star teams and is a strong candidate for the Dodgers prestigious 2015 Branch Rickey Minor League Player of the Year award. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

But Bellinger isn’t the only member of the Quakes very good offense. He is joined by Dodgers former second round draft pick Alex Verdugo, who was just named the Cal League’s Player of the Week, and fellow outfielders Johan Mieses and Jacob Scavuzzo – all mid-season promotions to the Quakes.

What Haselman failed to mention is that his once outstanding first half starting rotation that included Dodgers top pitching prospects Jose De Leon and Jharel Cotton was victimized by promotions – De Leon to Double-A Tulsa and Cotton to Triple-A Oklahoma City. But their replacements, right-handers Trevor Oaks and recently acquired Chase De Jong – along with staff ace Scott Barlow – could keep the Rancho squad in the playoffs through the Championship round.

“I think if our pitchers do their job and do what they’re capable of doing and keep us in the games, I think our hitting is going to win it for us,” said Verdugo.

It’s safe to say that Haselman’s winning attitude has definitely rubbed off on his players.