D-backs adopt new model for coaching
PHOENIX -- The D-backs rounded out their new-look coaching staff on Tuesday with five coaches hired as assistants as the team looks to use a hybrid coaching model in 2022.
On the hitting side, Damion Easley, who spent the previous three seasons as the Padres¡¯ hitting coach, was hired as assistant Major League hitting coach under Joe Mather, who was hired in October.
? D-backs back Walker at contract tender deadline
Drew Hedman and Rick Short, who were co-hitting coaches for the final three-plus months of last season following the dismissal of Darnell Coles, will remain on the staff in different roles.
Hedman will be the assistant Major League hitting coach/director of Minor League hitting. Short will serve as assistant hitting coach/assistant Minor League hitting coordinator.
The plan is that Mather and Easley will be with the Major League club every day while Hedman and Short will split time between the Major Leagues and Minor Leagues, with one being with the big league team each day.
This browser does not support the video element.
On the pitching side, Brent Strom was hired recently as pitching coach, replacing Matt Herges. Dan Carlson, who has been in the D-backs¡¯ organization for 20 seasons, including the past eight as Minor League pitching coordinator, will join the staff as assistant Major League pitching coach/Minor League pitching coordinator.
Former D-backs right-hander Barry Enright will be the assistant Major League pitching coach/Minor League pitching coordinator.
Much like with the hitting coaches, Strom will be with the team all year while Carlson and Enright will rotate between the big leagues and Minors.
This browser does not support the video element.
"When I had some thoughts about what type of coaches I wanted to have around me, I've been telling you guys I was going to look for the best possible coaches, All-Star-caliber coaches," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. "I wanted to shoot for the moon [and] give our players a chance to get the best teachers around them every single day. I feel like we filled it in as good as, if not better than I had hoped."
With the hybrid model and having the assistants rotating between the Majors and Minors, the D-backs are hoping to accelerate the development of some of their younger players. That's crucial for them as they plan to rely more on younger players in the coming year.
¡°It used to be in years past when you got to Triple-A, you tightened up all of your skills and by the time you got to the big leagues you better have it figured out,¡± Lovullo said. ¡°If you didn¡¯t, you got sent out. That¡¯s not the case anymore. You¡¯ve seen some of the patience we¡¯ve had with our players, and it¡¯s paid off handsomely. We want to shorten that gap and develop players at the big league level.¡±
This browser does not support the video element.
Luis Urueta, who was the bench coach last season, will serve on the big league staff as coordinator of Major League player development and instruction.
Coaches returning in the same roles as last season include first-base coach Dave McKay, third-base coach Tony Perezchica and bullpen coach Mike Fetters.
The team added Jeff Banister as bench coach earlier this offseason.