San Diego, CA- The San Diego Padres have dismissed hitting coachPhil Plantierfollowing arguably the worst offensive season in franchise history. Phil Plantier was the Padres hitting coach for the past three seasons and was the Padres sixth different hitting coach since moving into Petco Park since 2004.
Phil Plantier joinsDave Magadan,Merv Rettenmund,Wally Joyner,Jim LefebvreandRandy Readyas former hitting coaches that have tried to turn the Padres offense around during the past decade.
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The Padres ranked last in almost all of the offensive categories in Major League baseball. The Padres were last in runs, hits, RBI, batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.
According to Corey Brock of MLB.com,Phil Plantier could remain in the organization in a different position and Padres bench coachDave Roberts, pitching coach Darren Balsley, third-base coachGlenn Hoffman, first-base coachJose Valentin, bullpen coachWillie Blairand assistant hitting coachAlonzo Powellwill return next season.
Friars on Base
Why the Padres are changing their hitting coach again I have no idea. You’ve had now six different hitting coaches in the past decade and asperfectly stated by Bernie Wilson of the Associated Presseveryone in baseball knows the Padres plain and simple don’t have offensive talent.
"“Many in baseball know the Padres have a lot of LOFT hitters … Lack Of (expletive) Talent hitters.” –Wilson"
I don’t wanna hear the nonsense that it’s Petco Park’s fault for the Padres lack of offense, the problem is the Padres lack players who have offensive talent.
The Padres have refused to spend money on offensive talent the past decade and have tasked their hitting coaches with turning fringe major league talent into all-stars. Just look at the Padres lineupYonder Alonso,Will Venable,Carlos Quentin,Cameron Maybin,Everth Cabrera,Jedd GyorkoandYasmani Grandal. Maybe two or three of these players would be starters on the other 29 teams in baseball.
If the Padres want to improve their offense forget the hitting coach, go out their and sign legitimate major league offensive talent and you won’t need to change hitting coaches every two years.
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