Braves tab ex-Phils pitching coach for Minors role
Dubee among four organizational hirings announced by Atlanta
ATLANTA -- The Braves hired former Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee on Monday to fill one of four Minor League positions vacated by coaches promoted to the Major League level this offseason.
Dubee will serve as the Braves' Minor League pitching coordinator, a position Dave Wallace held before being named Baltimore's pitching coach. Other additions to Atlanta's staff include Ronnie Ortegon (Minor League hitting coordinator), Rick Williams (special assistant to the general manager/pitching development and special assignment) and Bobby Mitchell (Minor League roving outfield and baserunning instructor).
Ortegon replaces Don Long, who was named Cincinnati's hitting coach earlier this month. Williams, who is the son of former Major League manager Dick Williams, was hired to fill the void created when Dom Chiti followed Wallace to Baltimore to serve as Buck Showalter's bullpen coach. Mitchell will assume the responsibilities previously held by Doug Dascenzo, who was named Atlanta's third-base coach in October.
"We think the number of Braves Minor League personnel who have been recently promoted to Major League jobs speaks volumes about our player development program," Braves general manager Frank Wren said. "We are proud that they had opportunities within Major League Baseball, and we are also very excited about the quality of the four men we are announcing today."
Dubee served nine seasons as the Phillies' pitching coach before being fired in October. Before going to Philadelphia, he worked as a Minor League pitching coach or pitching coordinator for the Marlins (1994-2001) and Expos (1991-93). While with the Marlins, he worked with both Wren and current Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez.
Ortegon spent six seasons (2007-12) as the Reds' Minor League roving hitting coordinator before spending this past season as Cincinnati's assistant hitting coach. He also previously served as a Minor League coach with the Phillies and Rangers.
Williams joins the Braves after spending the past seven seasons as a Major League scout for the Yankees. He served as the first pitching coach for the Rays (1998-2000) and later served as a special assistant in Tampa Bay's organization.
Mitchell spent the past two seasons serving as the Cubs' Rookie-level manager in Mesa, Ariz. He has managed in the Angels organization and served as a roving outfield/baserunning instructor for the Red Sox, Padres and Expos.