In an expected move, Chris Young is out as Phillies pitching coach, according to sources.
Young spent one season in the role. A year ago at this time, he was elevated from assistant pitching coach to pitching coach, replacing the well-liked Rick Kranitz.
Kranitz was pushed out by manager Gabe Kapler and GM Matt Klentak. The move was made because Young was proficient in the use of data and analytics in building a pitching staff and game-planning. But Young’s methods were never fully embraced by the pitching staff and the popular Kranitz is in the postseason as pitching coach of the National League East champion Atlanta Braves.
It is believed that Young's contract was reworked into a two-year deal when he took over as pitching coach. He could be reassigned to a different role in the organization that suits his strengths of interpreting data and analytics and using them to formulate plans of attack for pitchers.
Resolution on Kapler's fate as Phillies manager is unlikely to come until next week.
The Phillies' team ERA rose from 4.15 in 2018 to 4.53 in 2019. It closely mirrored the leaguewide rise in ERA from 4.14 to 4.49.
The Phillies simply didn't see enough improvement from their pitchers this past season. They used 31 pitchers (excluding position players), with only Hector Neris, Ranger Suarez and Zach Eflin pitching more effectively than they did a year ago as Phillies. Eflin was an interesting case in particular — he started the year strong before encountering midseason struggles and going back to favoring his sinker over the four-seam fastball. The Phillies wanted their pitchers to attack more with high heaters and the results never came.
MLB
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