From to , Roenicke served on the coaching staff of the Dodgers' major league team. He began his managerial career in 1994 with the rookie-level Great Falls Dodgers, and was named California League Manager of the year as he led the single-A San Bernardino Spirit to a league title in 1995. He served as the hitting instructor for triple-A Albuquerque in 1996 before being named Manager of the Year for guiding the double-A San Antonio Missions to the Texas League Championship in 1997. He managed San Antonio until 1998 when Glenn Hoffman's elevation as the Dodgers' interim manager led to his return to Albuquerque, this time as manager.