Orioles name Scott Coolbaugh as major league hitting coach

The Orioles today announced that they have named Scott Coolbaugh as Major League Hitting Coach. Coolbaugh, 48, has been in the Texas organization for the last eight seasons, most recently serving at Minor League Hitting Coordinator in 2014. He was also Major League Hitting Coach through 2012 after being named to the post on June 8, 2011 by the Rangers. In 2012, Texas led the majors in runs scored (808) and ranked 2nd in the American League in total bases (2493) and average (.272). Prior to joining the big league staff, Coolbaugh was a hitting instructor in the Texas organization from 2007-11. He was the organization's Triple-A hitting coach at Oklahoma City (2009-10) and Round Rock (early 2011 and the 2013 season) after serving in the same role at Double-A Frisco in 2007-08. Before joining the Texas minor league staff, Coolbaugh was in the Arizona system, managing for two seasons at Double-A El Paso from 2003-04 in the Texas League. He also managed at Single-A High Desert in 2000 and Single-A Lancaster in 2001. Coolbaugh also served as the hitting coach at El Paso in 1999 and 2002. Coolbaugh was originally selected by Texas in the third round of the 1987 amateur draft after an All-American career at the University of Texas. He played 167 big league games over four seasons with Texas (1989-90), San Diego (1991), and St. Louis (1994). Coolbaugh will replace Jim Presley, who has been reassigned.