Marlins name 4 new coaches to finalize staff

MIAMI -- The Marlins announced in October that Don Mattingly would return for his fourth season as manager of the club. But it took until Wednesday to round out the rest of his staff.
The staff will include four additions -- Mel Stottlemyre Jr. (pitching), Trey Hillman (first base/infield), Jeff Livesey (assistant hitting) and Kevin Barr (strength and conditioning).
Returning are Tim Wallach (bench), Mike Pagliarulo (hitting), Fredi Gonzalez (third base), Dean Treanor (bullpen), Brian Schneider (catching) and Rob Flippo (bullpen coordinator).

After finishing last in the National League East with a 63-98 record, the Marlins opted to make some changes to the staff. They did not renew the contracts of pitching coach Juan Nieves, first-base/infield coach Perry Hill, assistant hitting coach Frank Menechino as well as strength and conditioning coach Ty Hill.
"What was paramount with all of the staff members is they all are incredible teachers," Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. "I think that was something that was an important part of the search process. We looked to find the most experienced, the most knowledgeable. But on top of all that, just great teachers. As we continue to build our organization and add young talent, we wanted to make sure that we had great teachers."

Stottlemyre, 54, spent the past three seasons as the pitching coach of the Mariners. During his tenure, Seattle ranked sixth in the American League in team ERA (4.19) and batting average against (.253). The Marlins have an abundance of young pitchers, and the organization is emphasizing fastball command. Miami's 4.76 ERA in 2018 ranked 25th in the Majors.
"Mel's resume speaks for itself," Hill said. "He definitely has a great sense of developing young pitchers and what a young pitcher needs to be successful at the Major League level. I think that definitely played a role in him becoming our newest pitching coach. We have a young roster of pitchers, with more coming."
Under Stottlemyre's guidance, the Mariners logged the seventh-most strikeouts in the AL (3,890) and the second-fewest walks (1,350), for a 2.88 strikeout/walk ratio. He also was the D-backs' pitching coach from 2009-10. Stottlemyre is the son of five-time MLB All-Star Mel Stottlemyre, and the older brother of former big league pitcher Todd Stottlemyre.
Hillman has familiarity working with Mattingly. From 2011-13, he was Mattingly's bench coach with the Dodgers.
Hillman adds big league managerial experience, with the Royals from 2008-10. The 55-year-old has the distinction of being the only person to manage in Japan (Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, 2003-07), Korea (SK Wyverns, 2014-18) and MLB. He also is the only manager to win a Korean Series title (2018) and a Japan Series title (2006).
Livesey, 52, spent the past five seasons as the Pirates' assistant hitting coach and 16 years total with the organization.
The Marlins finished last in the Majors in 2018 in runs scored (589), home runs (128) and slugging percentage (.357).
Barr was the Marlins' Minor League strength and conditioning coordinator in 2018, a role he also held in '01. In '17, he was the Dodgers' strength and conditioning consultant.
"I think familiarity brings names to the table when you talk about a potential applicant pool," Hill said. "The interview process was thorough, and we wanted to make sure we hired people who fit with where we're going and what we're doing."