Diamondbacks finalize coaching staff for 2019 season
Nov 26, 2018, 4:03 PM | Updated: Nov 27, 2018, 12:43 pm
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The Arizona Diamondbacks finalized their 2019 coaching staff on Monday, including a change on the hitting staff.
With assistant hitting coach Tim Laker moving to the Seattle Mariners on Monday to become their primary hitting coach, the D-backs have replaced him with former D-back Eric Hinske.
As first reported by The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney and Robert Murray, Hinske will work under new hitting coach Darnell Coles. Holding the same title for the Chicago Cubs in 2016, Hinkie would then become the hitting coach for the Los Angeles Angels in 2017 but was replaced after one season.
Hinske had over 3,700 at-bats in his 12-year MLB career, hitting .249 with 137 home runs and 522 RBI.
The addition of Dan Butler as bullpen coach is the only other change outside of Coles and Hinske’s addition. Bench coach Jerry Naron, pitching coach Mike Butcher, bullpen coach Mike Fetters, first base coach Dave McKay, third base coach Tony Perezchica, quality control/catching coach Robby Hammock, major league coach Luis Urueta and bullpen catcher Humberto Quintero all will be returning.
Hinske’s last season came with the D-backs in 2013, when he was used as a pinch-hitter and posted a .173 batting average in 52 at-bats.
Coles replaced former hitting coach Dave Magadan, who mutually parted ways with the D-backs after the 2018 season.