Cubs dismiss Rudy Jaramillo, name James Rowson interim hitting coach

The Chicago Cubs today dismissed hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo and named James Rowson, the organization’s minor league hitting coordinator, the club’s interim major league hitting coach.

Additionally, Tom Beyers has been named interim minor league hitting coordinator.

Rowson, 35, joined the Cubs during the offseason after six seasons in the New York Yankees organization, including the last four years as their minor league hitting coordinator from 2008-11. 

The 2012 campaign marks Rowson’s 11th season as a professional hitting coach or coordinator. Prior to joining the Yankees, he spent four seasons in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim minor league system as a hitting coach (2002-05).  He joined the Yankees as a minor league hitting coach before the 2006 season and was promoted to minor league hitting coordinator two years later.

A former outfielder, Rowson was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the ninth round of the 1994 Draft and played professionally for four seasons, including three seasons in the Mariners system and one season in the Yankees system.

Rowson is a native of Mount Vernon, N.Y. and a graduate of Mount St. Michael High School in the Bronx.

Jaramillo was named the Cubs hitting coach on October 21, 2009 and was in his third season in his role.