The Miami Marlins finalized their coaching staff under new manager Skip Schumaker, which included the hiring of Brant Brown from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Schumaker takes over for Don Mattingly, who mutually agreed with the Marlins for the 2022 season to be his last as manager.
Brown is the Marlins hitting coach, and the staff also features newcomers in Rod Barajas (field coordinator), Griffin Benedict (quality assurance coach), Jon Jay (first base/outfield coach), John Mabry (assistant hitting coach), Jody Reed (Third Base/Infield Coach) and Luis Urueta (Bench Coach) are joining the Marlins’ Major League coaching staff.
Bullpen coach Wellington Cepeda, bullpen coordinator Rob Flippo and pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. are holdovers from the previous Marlins coaching staff.
Brown joins the Marlins after spending the past five seasons in the Dodgers organization. He joined them in a dual role of assistant hitting coach and Minor League hitting coordinator, and in 2020 was added to manager Dave Roberts coaching staff as a co-hitting coach.
During Brown’s three years in that position, the Dodgers ranked in the top three in both runs scored and on-base plus slugging percentage.
Prior to joining the Dodgers, Brown coached five seasons in the Seattle Mariners organization (2013-2017) and six with the Texas Rangers (2007-2012). Brown joining the Marlins coaching staff marks a return as he played for the team in 2000.
Brown’s playing career also included time with the Chicago Cubs (1996-1998, 2000) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1999).
How are Dodgers replacing Brant Brown?
Robert Van Scoyoc remains the Dodgers hitting coach, and Brown’s position now has been filled by the promotion of Aaron Bates from assistant hitting coach.
Bates joined the Dodgers coaching staff prior to the 2019 season, which was his fifth overall year with the franchise. At the time of being added to the Major League staff as assistant hitting coach, Bates’ duties called for being involved with the development of the organization’s Minor League hitters as well.
Bates began his coaching career in 2015 as the Rookie-level Arizona League Dodgers hitting coach. He held that position for two seasons before getting promoted to Great Lakes hitting coach in 2017. In 2018, Bates spent time as the Dodgers’ assistant hitting coordinator.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman recently said the front office had not determined how or if the now-vacated assistant hitting coach position would be filled.
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