Sal Fasano won't leave town without defending his title.

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats manager, who led the Blue Jays' affiliate to the 2011 Eastern League championship in his first season, will return next season to oversee some of the top prospects in the American League East. Toronto officially announced its Double-A staff on Thursday, naming Tom Signore as pitching coach and former major leaguer Jon Nunnally as hitting coach.

Signore guided the Fisher Cats pitching staff in 2009-10 and spent last season as pitching coach for Toronto's Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas. Nunnally began his coaching career in 2006 following a 15-year pro career, including a stint with the Red Sox in 1999. Nunnally served as the Cleveland Indians' hitting coach last season before being fired in June. Athletic trainer Bob Tarpey will return for his third season with the Fisher Cats.

Fasano's Fisher Cats went 77-65, defeating the Richmond Flying Squirrels in the EL Championship Series. The Chicago native was named Eastern League Manager of the Year, becoming the first Fisher Cats skipper to earn the honor since Mike Basso in the team's inaugural season in 2004. Since making his managerial debut in 2010 with low-A Lansing, Fasano has posted 147-134 record (.523) and 6-2 mark in the postseason. The former catcher spent parts of 11 seasons in the majors and played for nine teams, including the Blue Jays.

Travis d'Arnaud, Drew Hutchison, Nestor Molina and Deck McGuire were among the top prospects in uniform for the Fisher Cats last season. d'Arnaud, a catcher, was named Eastern League Most Valuable Player and a Topps Double-A All-Star Team.

Hutchison and McGuire, a pair of prized right-handers, are expected to begin the 2012 season with New Hampshire.

"You just learn so much from him on a day-to-day basis about the game. He's so knowledgeable that you try to be around him as much as you can," Hutchison said Thursday. "He's very honest with you and genuinely cares about each player."

Fasano made a connection with Fasano, too. Season-ticket holder Tina Brannen of Manchester said the Thursday announcement was the best news she heard all day.

"Sal knows his stuff. He knows how to run a game and gets what he needs from his players," Brannen said. "I've seen him out there working with the guys, not just watching them work. He's so unassuming, yet effective."