Marlins hire former Dodgers 1B coach McCullough as manager

MIAMI -- The search is over. A new era can begin.

The Marlins announced on Monday that they have hired Dodgers first-base coach Clayton McCullough to be the 17th manager in franchise history.

"We are thrilled to introduce Clayton McCullough as manager of the Miami Marlins following an extensive search," Marlins chairman and principal owner Bruce Sherman said in a statement. "Clayton joins our organization following a World Series championship season and brings a strong pedigree of winning. His love of the game, ability to build meaningful relationships, and new leadership will guide our organization into an exciting new era. With roots already in South Florida, we are excited to welcome Clayton along with his wife Jill and their children to the Marlins' organization.”

McCullough, who turns 45 on Dec. 27, recently capped his 10th year in the Dodgers' organization with a World Series championship. He had spent the past four seasons as first-base coach, primarily in charge of finding tendencies to run on, and was a member of the 2021 National League All-Star coaching staff.

In 2024, McCullough was instrumental to NL MVP frontrunner Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts, who had McCullough throw to him in the '23 Home Run Derby and called him his "favorite coach ever."

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Clayton and his family to the Marlins,” president of baseball operations Peter Bendix said in a statement. “Throughout our process, his character, care for people and culture, passion for player development, and desire to win stood out and make him a perfect fit for our organization. He has an impressive track record of success, building relationships and bringing positive energy every day. It’s clear that Clayton’s values and vision align perfectly with ours, and we are ready to begin working on the next exciting chapter for our club.”

Before his stint on manager Dave Roberts' coaching staff, McCullough served as Minor League field coordinator for the Dodgers (2015-20), working with current Marlins assistant general manager Gabe Kapler during his tenure as the director of player development. McCullough also helped oversee Los Angeles’ operation at the alternative training site on the University of Southern California campus in 2020 during the pandemic-shortened season.

Though McCullough hasn't managed in the Majors, he compiled a 402-367 record and led his clubs to winning campaigns in six of seven seasons while part of the Blue Jays' organization from 2006-14: Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Blue Jays ('07), Class A Lansing Lugnuts ('08-09), Class A Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays ('10-11) and Class A Vancouver Canadians ('12-13). Under his guidance, Lansing won its first division title since 1999, while Dunedin reached the postseason in consecutive years. Vancouver captured titles in back-to-back seasons.

McCullough was named Northwest League Manager of the Year (2012) and Florida State League Manager of the Year (’11) for his efforts.

Originally selected out of high school in the 47th round of the 1998 Draft by the Mariners and then taken in the 22nd round of the 2002 MLB Draft as a catcher out of East Carolina University, McCullough played four Minor League seasons in Cleveland's system prior to returning to his alma mater for one year as a volunteer assistant coach.

Baseball runs in McCullough's family. His father, Howard, has been in scouting for 38 years with a handful of organizations.

McCullough resides in Jupiter, Fla., where the Marlins hold Spring Training.

“It is an honor to be introduced as the manager for the Miami Marlins, and I would like to thank Bruce, Peter and the entire organization,” McCullough said. “Following an incredible past few weeks, it is exciting to end the year by finding the right opportunity for me and my family. We have called South Florida home for the last 10 years, and now I get to lead the Marlins' franchise forward with a culture that is built on determination, focus and care.”

The next order of business will be filling out McCullough's coaching staff as the Hot Stove season picks up at the Winter Meetings from Dec. 9-12 in Dallas.

A source told MLB.com that Pedro Guerrero will step in as the club's hitting coach. Guerrero was the assistant hitting coach for the Giants (2022-24) and Phillies ('18-21) after serving as the bench coach for Rookie-level Ogden in the Dodgers' system ('16-17). Prior to his coaching career, the Dominican-born Guerrero was a Dodgers farmhand for eight Minor League seasons ('06-13).