The Philadelphia Phillies lost out on their top choice of hitting coach after Chili Davis agreed to a multi-year deal to remain with the Mets.
While new manager Joe Girardi looks to complete his coaching staff, a new favorite for the position has emerged.
Per Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Phillies’ “likely choice” for their new hitting coach will be Washington Nationals assistant hitting coach Joe Dillon.
The 44-year-old spent the past two seasons under Nationals hitting coach Kevin Long where he’s worked with big-time bats like Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon, and Juan Soto.
Harper, who joined the Phillies for the 2019 season, brings an obvious link between Dillon and the organization.
A bigger vote of confidence regarding Dillon came from Long, who worked seven years with Girardi during their time with the New York Yankees. Girardi was the manager while Long was the hitting coach.
Dillon spent 12 years in professional baseball, including four in the majors with the Marlins, Brewers, and Rays.
Before joining the Nationals, he was the organization’s triple-A hitting coach before spending two years as the Marlins’ minor-league hitting coordinator.
Dillon provides a more modern approach to hitting, which the Phillies are looking to implement in today’s analytically-driven game. That includes stressing an importance on keeping the ball in the air while preaching launch angle.
The Phillies fired John Mallee in August and finished the season with former manager Charlie Manuel at the hitting-coach position.
In a disappointing 2018 season that resulted in the firing of manager Gabe Kapler, the Phillies’ offense failed to live up to expectations with the likes of Harper, Rhys Hoskins, and JT Realmuto pacing the lineup.
The Phillies averaged 4.78 runs per game, just below the league average.
