In a flurry late this Friday afternoon, the Phillies reportedly finalized their coaching staff hirings.
The Phillies announced that Rick Kranitz, who was re-hired to be part of Gabe Kapler’s coaching staff, will in fact be pitching coach in 2018. Then they announced Chris Young will be his assistant pitching coach.
Kranitz was previously Bob McClure’s assistant pitching coach. Before that he was pitching coach for the Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles and Florida Marlins. Young won a world championship with the Astros as their major league scouting supervisor last season.
Todd Zolecki then reported that the Phillies are going to hire Rob Thomson as bench coach.