Following the hire of Pedro Grifol as White Sox manager, we are continuing to receive details on coaches who are not returning to the organization.
James Fegan of The Athletic confirmed in a report that hitting coach Frank Menechino and catching instructor Jerry Narron are among those who will not be back in 2023. This comes in addition to Matt Spiegel’s update on 670 The Score that revealed first base coach Daryl Boston and third base coach Joe McEwing would also not be retained.
Menechino, 51, began his coaching career as a hitting coach in the Yankees organization for five seasons (2009-13) before spending another five with the Marlins’ staff (2014-18). While in Miami, Menechino served three seasons as the MLB assistant hitting coach (2014-16) and two as the hitting coach (2017-18). He was fired following the 2018 campaign.
The former 1993 White Sox draft pick later found his way back home when he joined the organization in 2019 as Triple-A Charlotte’s hitting coach. During that season, the Knights led the International League in runs scored (792), ranked second in on-base percentage (.352), slugging percentage (.472), OPS (.824), and third in home runs (franchise-record 208). Before the 2020 season, it was announced that Menechino would be promoted to hitting coach on the major-league staff.
Though the White Sox did have some success offensively during Menechino’s tenure, this past year did not leave a good taste in anyone’s mouth. Overall poor approaches by the hitters accompanied by an alarming lack of power led to the offense ranking 18th in on-base percentage (.310), 18th in slugging percentage (.387), 19th in total runs scored (686), and 22nd in home runs (149). Though not all the blame should be placed on Menechino, just as not all the previous success should be attributed to him, the timing couldn’t be better for the White Sox to get a new voice in the dugout.
One name to watch as a replacement for Menechino is Royals special assignment hitting coach Mike Tosar, as previously mentioned by our Jordan Lazowski in his earlier article. Tosar has worked closely with Grifol in the past and was an integral part of the break-out power seasons by Salvador Perez and Jorge Soler.
Narron, 66, was the other name highlighted as not returning in a relatively expected move. He spent two seasons in the White Sox organization out of his 28 seasons on a major-league coaching staff. He served as a major league instructor for the team, working closely with Yasmani Grandal and the catchers. No replacement has been named or rumored for his position just yet.
As it relates to the rest of the previous coaching staff, we do know that pitching coach Ethan Katz and bullpen coach Curt Hassler appear to be the lone returners. One whose status is still uncertain is bench coach Miguel Cairo, though some clarity should be on the way in the coming days as additional coaching hires are announced.
Once new details become available, we will provide further updates on the situation.
Related Articles:
- Report: White Sox to name Pedro Grifol as manager
- Report: Charlie Montoyo to be named White Sox bench coach
- Report: Ethan Katz to return as White Sox pitching coach
- Report: McEwing, Boston will not return to White Sox coaching staff
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Featured Photo: © Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The White Sox really need coaches from Kansas City a team that finished near the bottom.
This hiring is turning into a disaster and a season of 75-87 way to go.
Bob
Preachbobby4u@yahoo.com