Mallee, Wathan Join Coaching Staff; Kranitz Returns

1991 Classic Best Martinsville Phillies #8

2007 Choice Ottawa Lynx #24

New manager Gabe Kapler officially added three coaches to his staff on Friday.  Rick Kranitz, who was the bullpen coach in 2016 and the assistant pitching coach in 2017, is to date the sole holdover from Pete Mackanin's staff.  His role has yet to be determined, but it was confirmed that he'll return in 2018.

John Mallee returns to the Phillies organization after a 25-year absence.  Mallee was originally drafted by the Phillies in the 12th round of the June 1991 amateur player draft.  He played in parts of two seasons with the Martinsville (rookie) and Spartanburg (Low A) Phillies teams, appearing in 115 games and hitting .208.  More recently, Mallee served as the hitting coach for the Marlins (2010-2011), Astros (2013-2014) and Cubs (2015-2017).  Mallee was let go by the Cubs following their loss to the Dodgers in the playoffs.  He replaces Matt Stairs, who left the Phillies to fill the hitting coach position with the Padres.

Dusty Wathan was who I hoped would be the next Phillies manager.  Instead, he'll serve as Kapler's third base coach.  He's managed in the Phillies minor league system for the past 10 seasons, so he knows all the younger players well.

Mallee has a number of minor league baseball cards to his name, including the 1991 Classic card shown here.  Wathan has been appearing in Phillies minor league sets since 2006, first as a player and then as a manager.  The card featured here is from the Phillies' one year relationship with the Ottawa Lynx back in 2007.