LAS VEGAS -- In finalizing their coaching staff, the Mets have added a position that has become popular around baseball, but that had not previously been a part of their mix in Flushing. The club on Sunday promoted Luis Rojas to the newly created position of quality control coach, and also announced the hires of hitting coach Chili Davis and bullpen coach Chuck Hernandez.
Those three round out an eight-man staff that also includes bench coach Jim Riggleman, pitching coach Dave Eiland, first-base coach Glenn Sherlock, third-base coach Gary DiSarcina and assistant hitting coach Tom Slater.
"We are very excited with what we believe to be a well-rounded coaching staff with experience, extensive knowledge and strong instruction and assistance abilities," Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in a statement. "Our players will benefit greatly throughout 2019."
Rojas, 37, has been a Minor League manager since 2011, most recently at Double-A Binghamton. In his new role, he "will be in uniform and will serve as a conduit between the front office and coaching staff on all issues including game preparation, strategy and analytics," according to a team release. That type of position is typical on NFL staffs and has become increasingly popular among MLB teams including the Cubs, Dodgers and Cardinals in recent years.
"Brodie and I spent a lot of time finding the right mix of coaches," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said in a statement. "We're especially glad to add an additional coach to the staff keeping pace with the industry standard."
Davis, 58, replaces Pat Roessler, whom the Mets dismissed in November. He becomes their fifth hitting coach in six seasons; since dismissing Dave Hudgens, who went on to win a World Series with the Astros three years later, the Mets have cycled through Lamar Johnson, Kevin Long and Roessler.
A former star slugger for the Giants, Angels and three other teams, Davis has served as a hitting coach for the A's, Red Sox and Cubs.
Hernandez, 58, was the pitching coach in Atlanta from 2017-18 and Miami from 2013-15. He has also worked for the Indians, Tigers, Rays, Angels and the University of South Florida. Hernandez takes over from Ricky Bones, who is weighing job opportunities both inside and outside of the Mets organization.
Combined with Riggleman, who is also a new hire, the coaches give Callaway a fresh mix in his second season in the dugout. Mets officials have bemoaned the fact that entering last season, neither Callaway nor any of his coaches possessed any big league managerial experience.