Ironpigs manager Dave Brundage just lead the Philadelphia Phillies Triple-A affiliate to the best record during his tenure, but he will not return, according to Tom Housenick of the Allentown Morning Call.
The Phillies opted not to bring the 51-year-old back, according to a source. Brundage was informed earlier this week.
Brundage, the longest-tenured IronPigs manager, had a 286-292 record for the Triple-A franchise, including an 0-3 postseason record. He is 1,371-1,318 in his 19-year managerial career.
This season, Brundage's Ironpigs posted a record of 85-58, clinching a berth in the Governor's Cup playoffs, but the teams' offense was non-existent and they were swept in three games by Scranton Wilkes/Barre.
For 2017, Housenick mentions three potential candidates to fill the spot, the most likely being Reading manager Dusty Wathan. With guys like Dylan Cozens and Rhys Hoskins in the mix to start in Triple-A, Wathan would be a good choice considering he's also worked with both J.P. Crawford and Nick Williams. He also lists Mickey Morandini, current Phillies first base coach, and Sal Rende, who serves as Lehigh Valley's hitting coach after 12 years of managing in the minor league.
