MIAMI -- Marlins hitters will be introduced to a new approach in 2017. Mike Pagliarulo, who had an 11-year big league career and was a former teammate of Don Mattingly, has been named Miami's new hitting coach.
The 56-year-old replaces Barry Bonds on Mattingly's staff. The Marlins also officially announced Fredi Gonzalez as the new third-base coach.
"We've hired Fredi to be our third-base coach," Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill told reporters at the General Managers Meetings in Arizona. "We've also hired Mike Pagliarulo to be our hitting coach to replace Bonds."
The Marlins will continue to have two hitting coaches, with Frank Menechino remaining as assistant hitting coach.
Gonzalez replaces Lenny Harris, which leaves the Marlins with one coaching vacancy: The club has yet to announce who will replace Reid Cornelius as bullpen coach.
Pagliarulo attended the University of Miami, and in 1981 he was selected in the sixth round by the Yankees. A left-handed hitting infielder, Pagliarulo played for the Yankees, Twins, Padres, Rangers and Orioles in a career that lasted from 1984-95.
The Marlins had a perplexing season at the plate. They ranked fourth in the Majors and second in the National League in batting average (.263), but were 27th in MLB and 13th in the NL in runs scored (655). In-game adjustments and situational hitting were two areas of weakness, and the club would like to draw more walks. The Marlins ranked 26th in the Majors (447) in that category.
Gonzalez, 52, managed the Marlins from 2007-2010, posting a record of 276-279. In 2011, he replaced Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox in Atlanta, but after the Braves got off to a 9-28 start this year, he was dismissed.
From 2003-06, Gonzalez was the Braves' third-base coach.
"Fredi is a tremendous person," Hill said. "I think he will be a welcome addition to our staff. I think that is one thing, when we talk about the growth of our team, it's the influence of Don Mattingly at the helm. His leadership and his stability. His calmness. It really set the tone for a young roster that has not had a lot of stability over the years.
"Donnie and his staff did a great job. I think Fredi is a welcome addition."