More newbie questions.  Besides the FAQ and Help pages, are there other resources I can browse?  Or is tapping the infinite wisdom of the forums my best bet?

As a new owner of a perennial loser, I want to concentrate on building a world class farm system.  I figure it starts with good coaching at the minor league levels.  

After looking at the coaching rating definitions, my initial strategy thought would be hire coaches with strong hitting (pitching) IQ for the hitting (pitching) coaches also with strong patience at the lower minor league levels.  For the bench coach, I would look for strong discipline ratings to preach fundamentals.

Good strategy?  Rec's?  

I think you're on the right track.

For the pitching and hitting coaches, don't overvalue patience at the expense of discipline.  I like to go with a discipline of at least 40 for all my minor league coaches.  Also, at a minimum (patience + discipline > 100).

You'll also want to get the best fielding instructor that you can, because he affects defensive development at all levels.