The lone holdover from former manager Pete Mackanin's coaching staff was pitching coach Rick Kranitz. Kranitz served as bullpen coach and assistant pitching coach for the former manager before being named new manager Gabe Kapler's pitching coach. But Kranitz apparently has lost that title, according to a report.
According to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic, the Phillies felt moved to make a move to keep assistant pitching coach Chris Young:
#Phillies promoting assistant pitching coach Chris Young to pitching coach in place of Rick Kranitz, sources tell The Athletic. Team will allow Kranitz to interview elsewhere. Move prompted by multiple teams showing interest in making Young their head pitching coach.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 14, 2018
Young was in his first year in the Phillies organization.
Young, not to be confused with pitcher Chris Young who most recently pitched for the San Diego Padres or outfielder Chris Young, who was with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2018, took the role of assistant pitching coach after serving as a scouting supervisor with the Houston Astros. Young got some attention in 2018 as the one who was positioning outfielders in addition to his assistant pitching coach role.
What this means for Kranitz remains to be seen. Phillies manager Kapler had previously stated that all coaches were invited back to return. That could mean that Kranitz is under contract for 2019. As the Phillies have said they have allowed him to interview elsewhere, they could be giving him the opportunity to be a pitching coach somewhere else if that arises. He may end up with a different role with the Phillies.
Kranitz has served as a major league pitching coach for the Milwaukee Brewers, Florida Marlins, and Baltimore Orioles.
