After Aaron Bates’s departure, the Los Angeles Dodgers could be in the market for a new hitting coach.
Why Aaron Bates left
The Dodgers were not expected to make any notable coaching staff changes, according to president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, who expected the “status quo” for the upcoming season.
In the end, the Dodgers and Bates could not agree on a new contract, and despite the team’s offer, both are moving on.
According to Jack Harris of the California Post, the team has no plans to move on from their other hitting coach, Robert Van Scoyoc.
With an opening now to pair Van Scoyoc with someone new, the Dodgers have internal and external options to consider.
Internal options
Per Harris, JT Watkins, the Dodgers’ game planning and communication coach, has received positive reviews from players for his help on offense.
Additionally, Triple-A hitting coach Dylan Nasiatka and Double-A hitting coach Blake Gailen are other options, given their success developing players across multiple minor leagues.
Nasiatka and Gailen have both helped their minor league affiliates develop many players.
James Tibbs III, Zach Erhard, Mike Sirota, Josue De Paula, among others, have all seen notable jumps while working with both.
External hires
Eric Thesien of the Milwaukee Brewers could be an option if the team wants to poach someone from the reigning champions.
It would make some sense if the Dodgers want a different voice and possibly a new approach.
One of the Dodgers’ better hitters in recent memory, Justin Turner, could be a left-field option.
He has a ton of experience within the organization and as a hitter, both in terms of slugging and his contact-forward approach.
Finally, Brett Pill, the current hitting coach for the Colorado Rockies, worked for the Dodgers as a hitting coach in Double-A and served as the Minor League hitting coordinator over the past three years before signing with Colorado.
The likeliest route is an internal hire, which the Dodgers tend to do regularly, but a free agent could have a positive impact on the offense.
