Magadan new hitting coach
L A S VEG A S » In an effort to spice up their tepid offense, the Rockies are shaking things up.
The club on Tuesday officially named Dave Magadan, 56, as their new hitting coach, replacing the departed Duane Espy. The Rockies also made longtime coach Ron Gideon their new first-base coach. He replaces Tony Diaz, who left to become Minnesota’s third-base coach.
Meanwhile, the Rockies continue their to attempt to land, via a trade or free agency, an accomplished hitter to play outfield or first base. Bridich said Tuesday night that the club is “moving closer” to bringing in that player.
Added manager Bud Black: “Our roster is going to look a little different, and it’s going to partially look a little different because I think there’s going to be an addition. Who? I don’t know.”
It could be veteran, switch-hitting first baseman Carlos Santana, the former Indians star who signed with Philadelphia last season and was recently traded to Seattle. The Rockies have reached out to the Mariners about a possible deal, but Bridich said nothing is imminent. There were some national media reports that the Rockies were interested in San Diego’s Wil Myers, but Bridich said that is not the case.
The Rockies are seeking “consistent run production,” Bridich said.
Little wonder. Colorado nearly won their first National League West title, and qualified as a wild-card team for the second consecutive year, despite an overall .256 batting average that was the worst in franchise history, and a .225 road average that also ranked last.
Colorado’s new hitting coach, who spent the last three seasons at Arizona, believes the Rockies have talent at the plate, but he’s willing to instill some changes in approach and do some tinkering. Moreover, he said he’ll embrace some of baseball’s new analytic approach to hitting.
That said, there is an oldschool mentality to Madagan’s approach. He played 16 years in the majors and has been a hitting coach for San Diego (2003–06), Boston, (2007–12), Texas (2013–15) and Arizona for the last three seasons.
“I like to have a simple message,” he said Tuesday night. “I think you can get paralysis by analysis. … I will need some help to able to disseminate some information to our players.
“We want our players … laser focused. Everybody has to buy into the approach.”
He added that he wants the Rockies to avoid the “peaks and valleys” that plagued them in 2018.
Magadan said “everybody loves home runs,” but added, “Over the course of 162 games, we have to find (different) ways to score runs.”
In 2017, the Diamondbacks set a franchise record with 220 home runs, but the club struggled this past season, hitting just .235 and fading down the stretch and missing the postseason. Arizona had a .661 OPS during its September fade and finished nine games out in the NL West.
In 2007, Magadan was the hitting coach for the Red Sox team that beat the Rockies in the World Series.
“I think his reputation speaks for itself,” Bridich said. “He’s put together a lot of successful offenses. Without having lived with him yet, it seems that he was the ability to connect with players and be a teammate with (his) coaches. He’s a greater worker and hopefully a calming presence on the bench.” Black’s future. Black is entering the final year of his three-year contract. All indications are that the Rockies will, at some point, offer him a contract extension. Last month, Bridich said: “There’s a great appreciation for who Buddy is and what he’s done with us here. … There are a lot of positive vibes all the way around.”
Tuesday, Black dodged a question about his contract.
“I’m concerned about what’s going on at the present, right?” he said. “I think that where we are as a team takes precedent over anything that might be happening with me. So that’s where my focus is. But I’m happy to hear that Jeff thinks there’s a good vibe. That’s a good thing.”