Reports: New-age thinker Kapler to manage Phils
PHILADELPHIA » As the Phillies searched for their new general manager, they were determined to follow a trail of analytics, personnel expertise and relative youth.
That trail has led them to Gabe Kapler.
Kapler, 42, is the choice to replace Pete Mackanin, according to multiple substantial reports. The announcement should be made sometime this week.
A 13-year major-league player and former minorleague manager, Kapler has been the Dodgers’ director of player development since 2014. Many of those developed players have made it at least to the sixth game of the World Series.
Kapler played for the Tigers, Rangers, Rockies, Red Sox, Brewers and Rays in a major-league career that ended in 2010. The outfielder had 82 career home runs and 386 RBIs with a .268 batting average. He also has playing experience in Japan.
Kapler will bring some new-age ideas to the Phillies. In his role with the Dodgers, he mandated that only organic foods would be served in the organization’s minor-league clubhouses. That ruling was not believed to be popular among the prospects. Kapler, however, practices the same fitness and nutrition discipline and has been known for his body-builder’s physique. He has 11 tattoos.
Kapler is reputed to be committed to all progressive baseball analytics, something that has grown in importance around the Phillies under general manager Matt Klentak.
Kapler’s on-field managerial experience was limited to one season with the Class A Greenville Drive of the Red Sox system. He had a 58-81 record for a seventhplace team. He was a coach for the Israeli national team in qualifying play for the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
The Phillies’ search was comprehensive, if quiet. They were known to consider Dusty Wathan, the manager of the Class AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs who’d helped guide potential stars Rhys Hoskins and J.P. Crawford through the Phils’ minor-league system. Third base coach and former Phillies star Juan Samuel was interviewed. Former Red Sox manager John Farrell was said to be seriously considered.
Kapler will be the Phillies’ youngest manager since Terry Francona was hired at age 38 in 1997. The Hollywood, Calif., native was a finalist in 2016 to manage the Dodgers, who instead hired Dave Roberts.
Mackanin was fired in September after going 174238 in two-plus seasons after replacing Ryne Sandberg in 2015.