The Phillies have asked all their coaches except hitting coach Steve Henderson to return in 2017.
Phillies Insider Jim Salisbury first reported yesterday that the Phillies were letting Henderson go after the season (see story). The Phils struggled offensively in 2016 and scored the fewest runs in all of baseball. Henderson had served as hitting coach since 2012.
Bench coach Larry Bowa, bullpen coach Rick Kranitz, pitching coach Bob McClure, catching coach John McLaren, first base coach Mickey Morandini and third base coach Juan Samuel have all been asked to return next season while Henderson departs.
If he returns, Bowa would enter the fourth year of his third stint as a Phillies coach. He previously managed the club from 2001-04 after serving as third base coach from 1989-96. He also played for the Phillies over 12 seasons.
Kranitz and McLaren joined the staff in 2016. Samuel has been a Phillies coach since 2011 while McClure took the job in 2014. Morandini just finished his second season as a Phillies coach.
