Nats keep most minor league staff, change several hitting coaches

The Nationals’ minor-league coaching staffs are mostly unchanged for the 2024 season, with one notable exception: They’ve overhauled much of their hitting staff.

The organization announced its full player development staff this afternoon, five days before pitchers and catchers officially report for spring training. Though there was a change at the top of the depth chart – former director of scouting operations Eddie Longosz replaced De Jon Watson, who was let go after two seasons leading the department – most of the coaches and trainers are returning to their same roles.

That includes the managers of all six minor league affiliates: Matt LeCroy (Triple-A Rochester), Delino DeShields (Double-A Harrisburg), Mario Lisson (High-A Wilmington), Jake Lowery (Single-A Fredericksburg), Luis Ordaz (Florida Complex League) and Sandy Martinez (Dominican Summer League).

Most of the pitching coaches return, as well: Rafael Chaves (Triple-A), Mark DeFelice (High-A), Justin Lord (Single-A) and Franklin Bravo (FCL). Rigo Beltran, formerly the Guardians’ bullpen coach, replaces Joel Hanrahan as Double-A pitching coach (though Hanrahan is staying with the Nats as rehab pitching coordinator). Feliberto Sanchez is the new pitching coach in the Dominican Summer League.

All development coaches also return this season: Billy McMillon (Triple-A), Oscar Salazar (Double-A), Mark Harris (High-A), Carmelo Jaime (Single-A) and Destin Hood (FCL).

The same doesn’t apply to the organization’s hitting coach structure, which has undergone significant change. Only longtime Triple-A hitting coach Brian Daubach returns, with new hires at Double-A (Jeff Livesey) and Single-A (Mike Habas) and Delwyn Young promoted from Single-A to High-A.

Tommy Everidge, previously the Athletics’ major league hitting coach, was hired as hitting coordinator, replacing Joe Dillon. And the Nats appear to have eliminated the positions of lower-level hitting coordinator (Troy Gingrich) and lower-level pitching coordinator (Michael Tejera).

The club also made changes to two other coordinator positions: Former Rays first base coach Chris Prieto replaces Coco Crisp as outfield and baserunning coordinator, and Jason Wood replaces Cody Ranson as infield coordinator (the same role he held the last four seasons with the Giants).

Returning coordinators include Bob Henley (field), Sam Narron (pitching), Randy Knorr (catching), Jeff Garber (fundamentals). Bill Mueller (quality assurance) and Mark Grater (rehab pitching) are no longer with the organization.