Marlins make two promotions on staff

Lorenzo, Nero promoted in Miami's front office

December 4th, 2020

MIAMI -- The Marlins are largely maintaining coaching continuity in 2021, but they've made a couple of changes.

The organization announced on Friday that Keith Johnson will be the new first-base/outfield coach and Lee Tressel has been promoted to strength and conditioning coach.

The rest of the 2020 staff is expected back: James Rowson (bench), Eric Duncan (hitting), Robert Rodríguez (assistant hitting), Mel Stottlemyre Jr. (pitching), Trey Hillman (third base), Wellington Cepeda (bullpen), Rob Flippo (bullpen coordinator), Eddy Rodríguez (catching) and Koji Tanaka (bullpen catcher).

Johnson replaces Billy Hatcher as first-base/outfield coach, and Tressel takes over for Kevin Barr.

Johnson was the manager of Triple-A New Orleans in 2018-19. In ’19, he also managed the Salt River Rafters to a championship in the Arizona Fall League. He previously worked 14 years in the Angels' player development system.

A fourth-round Draft pick of the Dodgers in 1992, Johnson enjoyed an 11-year playing career in pro ball. He appeared in six MLB games with the Angels in 2000 and finished his career 2-for-4 (.500).

Tressel served the past two seasons as the Marlins’ rehab strength and conditioning coordinator.

Rowson, who has the unofficial title as “offensive coordinator,” interviewed for the Red Sox managerial job earlier this offseason.

Mattingly, the 2020 National League Manager of the Year Award winner, and his staff were credited with keeping the ‘20 squad focused during a turbulent year. From Day 1, the Marlins dealt with adversity, with 18 players testing positive for COVID-19 in the first week of the season.

The Marlins ended up using 61 different players en route to finishing second in the NL East with a 31-29 record and making the playoffs for the first time since 2003.

The Marlins also announced on Friday that Adrian Lorenzo was promoted to director of baseball operations and Joey Nero was promoted to assistant director of baseball operations. Lorenzo previously held the title of special assistant of baseball operations and scouting, while Nero was the Major League information and video coordinator.

In October, the Marlins announced former director of player personnel Dan Greenlee had been promoted to assistant general manager. After former president of baseball operations Michael Hill wasn’t retained in October, Greenlee and assistant general manager Brian Chattin oversaw baseball operations before Kim Ng was named general manager in mid-November.