Friday, November 10, 2017
PHILLIES RETAIN KRANITZ, ADD MALLEE AND WATHAN TO COACHING STAFF
The Phillies have retained Rick Kranitz for their 2018 major league coaching staff, while adding John Mallee as hitting coach and Dusty Wathan as third base coach, Manager Gabe Kapler announced today.
Kranitz, 59, spent the last two seasons (2016-17) on the Phillies major league staff as bullpen coach and assistant pitching coach. Next year will mark his 19th season as a major league coach, having previously worked for the Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins, Baltimore Orioles and Milwaukee Brewers. Kranitz’ role for the 2018 staff has yet to be determined.
Mallee, 48, worked as the Cubs’ hitting coach for the last three years (2015-17). During his tenure with Chicago, the team had the highest on-base percentage (.33433) among all National League teams and second-highest among all major league clubs behind only the Boston Red Sox (.33444). They also scored the second-most runs (2,319) in the NL and had the second-highest OPS (.756), trailing only the Colorado Rockies in both categories (2,406 and .774).
Before joining the Cubs, Mallee was the hitting coach for the Marlins (2010-11) and Houston Astros (2013-14). He was originally selected by the Phillies in the 12th round of the 1991 draft and played two seasons in their minor league system.
Wathan, 44, has been with the Phillies for 12 years, including the last ten managing at the minor league level. He is the all-time winningest manager for double-A Reading (373-335) and won Eastern League Manager of the Year in consecutive seasons (2015-16), leading the team to the Eastern Division title both years. Wathan spent this past season managing triple-A Lehigh Valley to an 80-62 record and a playoff berth. This will be Wathan’s first major league coaching assignment.
The Phillies will announce the remainder of their coaching staff as roles are filled.
-30-
Press Releases provided courtesy of the Phillies, Media Relations. Thanks, guys!
