A candidate for the Phillies’ open hitting coach position has emerged.
According to baseball sources, the Phillies have received permission from the Washington Nationals to interview Joe Dillon for the job.
Dillon has served as the Nationals assistant hitting coach under Kevin Long for the last two seasons. Long had previously been New York Yankees hitting coach under Joe Girardi. Girardi was hired by the Phillies as manager last month and remains close to Long.
The Phillies’ hitting coach position has been in flux for the past few months. John Mallee, who came aboard with manager Gabe Kapler before the 2018 season, was fired in July and replaced by Charlie Manuel on an interim basis. Manuel is returning to his role as a club adviser and Mallee is now assistant hitting coach with the Los Angeles Angels.
A source said that Dillon would interview with the Phillies “soon.” Dillon had been busy throughout the month of October as the Nationals rolled through the postseason and won the World Series.
Dillon, 44, played in the majors with the Marlins, Brewers and Rays. He has gained recognition around the game for marrying new-age science with old-school principles in coaching hitters. Long, in fact, has called Dillon “the best assistant hitting coach in the baseball.” Anyone of that distinction, coming off a World Series title, would seem to be in line for advancement in the game. Maybe it will come with the Phillies. Stay tuned.
In other coaching matters, Juan Castro will take over as the team’s infield coach. Castro is a former utility infielder with the Phillies and has worked in player development for the club. He will replace Bobby Dickerson, who moved on to become San Diego’s bench coach.
MLB
Dillon is the only publicly confirmed candidate for the hitting coach job. Once a hitting coach is hired, Girardi’s staff will be complete. Bryan Price was previously hired as pitching coach.
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