By Sam Bush
The Padres have hired Matt Stairs away from the Phillies as their next hitting coach.
Stairs, who played 19 seasons in the majors, including one with the Padres, was the Phillies’ hitting coach in 2017.
Stairs replaces Alan Zinter, whom the Padres fired late in the 2017 season, with manager Andy Green declaring the need for a “different voice” in the position. The Padres, who, like the Phillies, are rebuilding, finished last in the majors in batting average and on-base percentage.
Stairs drew positive reviews as the Phillies offense saw improvement in several statistical categories. Young players such as Aaron Altherr, Rhys Hoskins and Nick Williams experienced success under his watch.
The Phillies fired Pete Mackanin as manager at the end of the season, leaving Stairs and the rest of the coaching staff in limbo.
