Report: Philadelphia Phillies Hire Kevin Long As Hitting Coach
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Phillies have found their new hitting coach for the 2022 season. Kevin Long, who was the Washington Nationals hitting coach last season, will join Joe Girardi's staff in the same role, The Athletic reported on Monday.
Long will be reunited with Girardi and Bryce Harper. Long worked as the hitting coach of the New York Yankees while Girardi was the manager. He also worked with Harper during his final season in a Nationals uniform in 2018. Before Washington, Long worked with the New York Mets as their hitting coach from 2015-17.
The Phillies finished the 2021 season 82-80 and second place in the NL East behind the Atlanta Braves.
Harper had an MVP caliber season, but it wasn't enough to end the Phillies' postseason drought.