Phillies Hitting Coach Candidates: Lloyd McClendon
The first possible candidate for the Phillies hitting coach position has possibly emerged
With the Phillies firing Steve Henderson after Sunday’s season finale, possible replacements have been floated among those in baseball.
The first name with some actual substance behind it is former Seattle Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon.
Currently managing the Detroit Tigers AAA team, McClendon has drawn the eye of Phillies manager Pete Mackanin.
Name to watch in Phillies hitting coach search: Lloyd McClendon. Mackanin has great respect for his work. LM was DET's AAA skipper in '16
— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyNBCS) October 3, 2016
McClendon managed the Mariners during the 2014 and 2015 seasons, and finished with a 163-161 record. Prior to running the show in Seattle he spent five years in Pittsburgh, winning no more than 75 games and finishing with a .430 record.
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In McClendon’s two seasons managing the Mariners the team had a .244 and .249 batting average.
Last year McClendon served as the manager of the Detroit Tigers AAA affiliate Toledo Mud Hens. They finished last in the International League West with a 68-76 record. Despite not having an impressive record, Toledo finished with the second-best batting average in the International League at .261.
Before he became a coach, McClendon played eight seasons in the major leagues.
He had a .244 career batting average with Cincinnati, Chicago, and Pittsburgh. He also spent an additional 12 years in the minor leagues.
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McClendon would not be the most impressive name to add to the coaching staff, but he has an extensive baseball resume. There are not many free agent hitters he could attract other than Austin Jackson, who could be a low-risk, high-reward option.