Phillies Add Guerrero as Assistant Hitting Coach

The Phillies got their newest coach from the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, from whom the Phillies  added manager Gabe Kapler.  Serving as assistant hitting coach for the Phillies in 2018 will be Pedro Guerrero. This is not the former Dodgers all-star Pedro Guerrero, nor are the two related, despite the Dodgers connection. This Pedro Guerrero,

Pedro Manuel Guerrero, is 28 years old and was a prospect within the Dodgers system before turning to coaching.   Guerrero played two games at Triple-A Albuquerque in 2010, but otherwise never played above Class A before wrapping up a playing career in 2013 with the Class A Rancho Cucumonga Quakes.

The move likely means that Rick Kranitz will probably be pitching coach, unless the Phillies would consider him for bench coach.  With only so many uniformed coaches permitted and with pitching-oriented Jim Gott serving as bullpen coach, the Phillies probably have their “extra” coach in the form of Guerrero.

The Phillies have Guerrero, Gott,Kranitz, third base coach Dusty Wathan and hitting coach John Mallee on board.  The Phillies may add two more coaches for a total of seven (as per MLB rules), which likely would be the first base coaching position and bench coach position.