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Phillies Manager Pete Mackanin Hints at Possible Coaching Changes

By George Stockburger |
Aug 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitching coach Bob McClure (22) goes out to talk to his pitcher in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitching coach Bob McClure (22) goes out to talk to his pitcher in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Phillies manager Pete Mackanin alluded to possible changes coming to his coaching staff once the season ends

In his pregame press meeting, Phillies manager Pete Mackanin was asked about the future of his coaching staff. After a meeting between the coaches and front office, it sounds like heads could possibly role in Citizens Bank Park after Sundays game.

Several names could easily be fired after a lack of development from several of the Phillies young players.

Pitching coach Bob McClure has had mixed results since joining Ryne Sandberg’s coaching staff following the 2013 season. McClure has worked well with the young pitchers and has generally been deemed a success after a disaster in Boston.

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The front office could view this differently and say the young starting rotation has not developed and the bullpen fell apart. Some of that is true, but injuries and a straight lack of talent are also to blame.

Mar 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies hitting coach Steve Henderson (5) talks with center fielder Peter Bourjos (17) prior to the game against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies hitting coach Steve Henderson (5) talks with center fielder Peter Bourjos (17) prior to the game against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Hitting coach Steve Henderson would be my guess as to who is shown the door. Promoted from the Phillies minor league coordinator for hitting, outfield, and base-running, the Phillies have seen many bad years of hitting under his watch.

In his first season as hitting coach in 2013, Phillies hitters (minus pitchers) hit .254, ranked 10th among the 15 National League teams.

The following season the Phillies hit .248, followed by a 2015 season where they hit .255.

In 2016, the Phillies have hit .245, the second-worst in the National League. I have little doubt Henderson will be fired Sunday night.

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Unless he feels like retiring, which I doubt, I see Larry Bowa back as the bench coach in 2016. He has worked well with Cesar Hernandez and Freddy Galvis in the middle of the infield, and takes the bullet for Mackanin when the umpires make a bad call.

Apr 29, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first base coach Juan Samuel (8) during the eighth inning of the game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. The New York Mets won the game 6-1. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first base coach Juan Samuel (8) during the eighth inning of the game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. The New York Mets won the game 6-1. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /

First and third base coaches Juan Samuel and Mickey Morandini could also be on the hot seat after seeing some terrible base running mistakes. While they aren’t in the heads and legs of players (Cesar Hernandez) they do control technique and sending players home.

The Phillies have a stolen-base percentage of just 68%. You could plug that on Morandini at first, but again he isn’t always in their heads.

As for Samuel, he seemed fine managing runners at first base, but his decision-making at third regarding whether to send players home or not is questionable. The chances for either being let go are probably 50/50.

Rick Kranitz does not get a lot of notice as the bullpen coach, and maybe he doesn’t do much at all other than answer the phone. Formerly the pitching coach in Milwaukee, the performance of the bullpen could ultimately land on Kranitz’s shoulders. I doubt it will, but like McClure, the front office could see this differently.

This will definitely be something to keep an eye on as the season closes this weekend and “Black Monday” arrives.

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