Orioles hire Coolbaugh as hitting coach

The Orioles interviewed Scott Coolbaugh this afternoon for the hitting coach position, rushing to set up a meeting in Dallas while the Rangers were willing to grant permission, and he is expected to get the job.

An announcement should come later today.

Coolbaugh, 48, met for almost two hours with manager Buck Showalter and vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson.

The decision came down to a hire from outside the organization and the Orioles made up their minds quickly after meeting with Coolbaugh. They never had a true deadline, but were prepared to wait past Christmas.

Not anymore.

Coolbaugh made a strong impression, and Showalter's familiarity with him also worked to his advantage. Coolbaugh was a minor league player, coach and manager in the Diamondbacks' system during Showalter's tenure in Arizona.

Having ties to the Rangers doesn't hurt, either.

Coolbaugh served as hitting coach for Double-A Frisco in the Rangers' system from 2007-2008 before taking the same job with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He replaced Thad Bosley as Rangers' hitting coach on June 8, 2011 and was fired after the 2012 season.

The Orioles need a replacement for Jim Presley, who was reassigned last month.

Jeff Manto, the Orioles' minor league hitting coordinator, interviewed for the job on Nov. 24 in Baltimore. They value his work in the minors and are hesitant to move him.

Coolbaugh was a career .215/.281/.310 hitter in parts of four major league seasons with the Rangers, Padres and Cardinals, and a .261/.343/.436 hitter in 12 minor league seasons. The Rangers initially denied the Orioles permission to interview him, but gave their approval yesterday.

Update: The Orioles just announced the hiring of Coolbaugh as hitting coach.