While there was a lot of uncertainty and banter regarding who the Dodgers’ final coaching staff would consist of in 2020, we now have our answer.
According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, Andrew Friedman has announced that Mark Prior will be transitioning as a replacement for Rick Honeycutt as the Dodgers’ pitching coach. Prior previously served as the bullpen coach for the team in 2019.
In addition, Friedman stated that Josh Bard will be the new bullpen coach to replace Prior.
Mark Prior will be the pitching coach, Friedman said. Josh Bard returns as the bullpen coach after two years on the Yankees staff.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) December 10, 2019
Bard, a former MLB catcher, was a member of the New York Yankees’ coaching staff for the last two seasons. He was with Los Angeles as their bullpen coach during the 2016 season.
Dodgers’ Manager
Dave Roberts will head into the season as the Dodgers’ manager to the dismay of many fans who question his postseason decision-making. This is the right move regardless, as the team continues to perform at a high-level and because of the fact that Los Angeles has never failed to win the division under his managerial reign.
Bench Coach
Bob Geren, despite his name being thrown around as a potential managerial candidate for numerous teams, will be returning in the same role. Roberts and Geren have worked well together in previous seasons.
Hitting Coach
Robert Van Scoyoc will also be returning as the team’s hitting coach. Van Scoyoc proved to be an excellent addition in 2019 after previously serving as a consultant. He has brought a new brand of hitting to the team as an analytically-inclined professional, and their offensive firepower in 2019 demonstrated his expertise.
Overall Outlook
Los Angeles will not be experiencing a lot of turnover with its coaching staff from 2019 to 2020, which is always a good way to stabilize a clubhouse.
