The Phillies filled their assistant hitting coach vacancy today, weeks after Wally Joyner left the Phillies to become hitting coach of the Detroit Tigers. The Phillies reached into their minor league system to hire John Mizerock. Mizerock was a coach on the Clearwater Threshers staff from 2011 through 2013.
Mizerock played in the big leagues from 1983 through 1986 with the Houston Astros and spent a small part of 1989 with the Atlanta Braves. After his major league playing days, Mizerock has held a number of coaching positions in the minor and major leagues. Mizerock had two stints as manager of the Wilmington Blue Rocks, including in 1995 when he won manager of the year while managing later-Phillies Mike Sweeney and Sal Fasano. In the major leagues, Mizerock spent time as the bullpen coach of the Kansas City Royals, which turned into a stint as the manager of the Kansas City Royals on an interim basis in 2002.
The position did not go to Mickey Morandini, reportedly under consideration for the job.
Mizerock hails from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
