Phillies hire Thomson as bench coach

December 1st, 2017
Rob Thomson spent 28 seasons in New York serving in a variety of roles. (Getty)

PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies manager Gabe Kapler officially named Rob Thomson as his bench coach on Tuesday.
Thomson, 54, had been the Yankees' bench coach for four seasons (2008, 2015-17) and third-base coach for six seasons (2009-14). Thomson recently interviewed for New York's managerial vacancy, but Aaron Boone was hired as the manager.
The Phillies officially announced Friday that Rick Kranitz will be the pitching coach and Chris Young will be the assistant pitching coach. The team announced weeks ago that Kranitz would return, although it had waited to announce in what capacity. That officially changed when the team announced Young's hire.

Young, 36, spent the past three years with the Astros. He worked as a pro scout in 2015-16, and as a scouting supervisor this past season. He previously served as a pro scout for the Padres from 2010-14. Selected by the Rockies as a pitcher in the 18th round of the 2002 Draft, Young posted a 3.54 ERA in 266 games (six starts) in six Minor League seasons.
Young finished his professional career in 2008 as a member of the Camden Riversharks of the Independent Atlantic League.
The Phillies previously hired Jim Gott (bullpen coach), Pedro Guerrero (assistant hitting coach), John Mallee (hitting coach) and Dusty Wathan (third-base coach) to their coaching staff.
They still need to hire a first-base coach.