The Phillies have another pitching-related opening on their coaching staff originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Phillies have another pitching-related job to fill on their coaching staff.
Jim Gott, the team's bullpen coach the last three seasons, will not return in 2021, according to multiple baseball sources. Gott had been on the job for three seasons and his contract had expired.
Earlier this month, pitching coach Bryan Price retired just one season into a three-year contract. Price's decision stemmed from a desire to spend more time with his family and was hastened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the pitching coach leads instruction of the pitching staff, the bullpen coach has a role in it. He is the manager and pitching coach's eyes in the bullpen. He monitors relievers' preparation in the bullpen and gives them on-the-fly matchup information on the hitters they will face upon entering a game.
With Price and Gott gone, it is not clear how the Phillies will restructure their on-field pitching instruction. Assistant pitching coach Dave Lundquist remains with the club and is likely to be a candidate for the full-time position.
Gott pitched 14 seasons in the majors and was extremely well liked by Phillies pitchers and just about everyone else in baseball. He was perpetually upbeat and positive, even during difficult times like 2020, when the Phillies, through no fault of Gott's, had the worst bullpen in the majors.
Before coming to Philadelphia as part of Gabe Kapler's staff, Gott coached in the Los Angeles Angels system.
