The departure of Mark McGwire and dismissal of Matt Stairs and Josh Johnson left a few holes on the Padres coaching staff going into 2019. Speculation on who would take their place ended yesterday with a rather quiet announcement from the team via their social media channels.
The least surprising promotion is that of Rod Barajas from manager of Padres AAA affiliate El Paso Chihuahuas to the bench coach position vacated by McGwire in the beginning of October. Barajas takes the bench after rising through the coaching rankings in the Padres organization, seeing time in Peoria, Lake Elsinore and San Antonio.