The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the offseason with multiple coaches and executives who were among the favorites to be hired by a new organization, but so far have yet to lose any of them.
Prior to that becoming the case, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman did express confidence the entire coaching staff would return for the 2022 season. However, the same can’t be said about their Minor League coaches.
The Minnesota Twins hired former High-A Great Lakes Loons hitting coach David Popkins to be their new Major League hitting coach earlier in this offseason.
Now, the L.A. Angels are hiring former Triple-A Oklahoma City manager and bench coach Bill Haselman as their catching instructor, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
As previously reported, former Yankees third base coach Phil Nevin will be part of the staff, perhaps as third base or bench coach. According to sources, he will be joined by Bill Haselman, who will be the catching instructor after serving last season as bench coach for the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City, a team he managed from 2016 to 2018.
Prior to the 2016 season, Haselman was named the OKC Dodgers manager after spending two seasons managing the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and Loons. He led the Quakes to their first California League championship in his one season managing them.
Haselman then served as the OKC manager through the 2018 season and led them to an American Northern Division title and appearance in the Pacific Coast League Championship Series in his first season.
After the 2018 campaign, Haselman took on the role of managerial coordinator for the Dodgers’ Minor League system; his duties included serving as a mentor to coaches throughout the organization. Haselman rejoined the Oklahoma City staff as the bench coach in 2021.
Haselman’s Major League experience
Although Haselman primarily made his mark with the Dodgers on the Minor League level, he additionally has three years of Major League coaching experience with the Boston Red Sox, working as their first base coach for two years and their bullpen coach for one.
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