Phillies fire 2 coaches prior to final game of season

According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, the Phillies have fired hitting coach Joe Dillon and infield coach Juan Castro. Assistant hitting coach Pedro Guerrero could be leaving the organization as well since the new hitting coach can hire their own assistant.

Dillon, 46, was hired as the Phillies hitting coach in November of 2019. He was previously the Washington Nationals’ assistant hitting coach for two seasons, winning a World Series in 2019. Under Dillon, the Phillies ranked in the top 10 in baseball in batting average, on-base, and slugging percentage in the shortened 2020 season. The lineup, outside of Bryce Harper and a few others, unperformed in 2021.

Castro, 49, replaced infield coach Bobby Dickerson in November 2019 after he was hired as the San Diego Padres bench coach. Castro, who played as a Phillie in 2010 — spent the 2019 season as the Phillies minor league infield coordinator. In 2021, the Phillies infield ranked in the bottom fifth of the league in Outs Above Average (-17).

All other coaches, including manager Joe Girardi, are expected to return in 2022.