Assistant hitting coach Dillon gets lead position in Philly

Joe Dillon, who earned praise throughout the Nationals organization for his work the last two seasons as assistant hitting coach, has been hired by the Phillies for their lead hitting coach position.

Dillon joins manager Joe Girardi's new staff in Philadelphia, where he'll be reunited with Bryce Harper and get the first opportunity of his career to be a team's lead major league hitting coach.

The 44-year-old joined the Nationals' big league staff in 2018 as Kevin Long's assistant and quickly won the support of players who appreciated his hands-on coaching. Juan Soto, in particular, raved about the one-on-one work he did with Dillon since making his major league debut last season.

Dillon, who served as the Nationals' Triple-A hitting coach in 2014-15, rejoined the organization after two seasons as the Marlins' minor league hitting coordinator.

The Modesto, Calif., native was a seventh-round pick of the Royals in the 1997 draft and appeared in 137 big league games (hitting .263 with a .722 OPS) for the Marlins, Brewers and Rays.

Dillon is expected to be the only member of the Nationals coaching staff that doesn't return in 2020. Manager Davey Martinez enters the third and final guaranteed year of his contract, with the club holding a 2021 option on him. Paul Menhart, who replaced Derek Lilliquist as pitching coach in late April, is expected to get the job on a full-time basis.

Bench coach Chip Hale, first base coach Tim Bogar (who was a candidate for the Mets' managerial opening), third base coach Bob Henley, bullpen coach Henry Blanco and Long all are set to return for their third season on Martinez's staff.