The Dodgers have been rumored to possibly lose multiple members of their major league front office, coaching staff, and roster. However, we know for certain that a minor league hitting coach for the Dodgers will be heading on to greener pastures.
According to White Sox vice president and general manager Rick Hahn, the Sox have hired Triple-A Oklahoma City hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh as their new assistant hitting coach for the big league club.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) November 12, 2019
While this is not a primary gig for Coolbaugh, it would not be surprising to see him get a head hitting coach job in the near future. The Chicago White Sox currently employ Frank Menechino as their hitting coach who will also be new to the job title as he was just instated in October 2019.
The 53-year-old Coolbaugh was the Dodgers’ Triple-A Oklahoma City hitting coach for one season — last season — and has experience as a head hitting coach at the major league level. Coolbaugh was the Baltimore Orioles’ hitting coach fro 2015 to 2018 when the team’s offense was at its best and the team was at its peak in the 2000s.
Under Coolbaugh, the AAA Dodgers slashed .262/.352/.464 with 203 home runs in 2019. Moreover, that club graduated six batters to the big league club, including Will Smith, Gavin Lux, and Edwin Rios
The Dodgers are sure to act fast to replace Coolbaugh with numerous organizational spots to be filled with the 2020 season looming. Expect to hear word on a replacement in the coming weeks.
