It has been expected, but is today reported that – for the first time in three years – the Cubs will actually have the same pitching and hitting coaches in consecutive seasons. Wild!
David Ross’ staff is taking shape, per sources: Tommy Hottovy, Anthony Iapoce and Mike Borzello expected to return; Chris Young hired as bullpen coach; and Chris Denorfia out as quality assurance coach, as @JonHeyman reported: https://t.co/F1fnUSJbe6
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) November 7, 2019
We heard about Young and Denorfia earlier today, and now it’s more or less confirmed that Anthony Iapoce, Tommy Hottovy, and Mike Borzello – all very well-liked by the front office – will be returning to their roles on David Ross’s coaching staff next year.
Iapoce was formerly the Cubs’ minor league hitting coordinator before becoming the Rangers’ hitting coach. When the Cubs decided to end Chili Davis’s stint as hitting coach after just one year, they brought Iapoce back into the organization. Coincidentally or not, several Cubs players had dramatically better seasons at the plate in 2019 than in 2018. I’m glad he’s being retained.
Hottovy was the Cubs’ run prevention coordinator for several years before taking over as the pitching coach last year. He was well-regarded in his previous role, and seemed to fit in seamlessly as the pitching coach. During his time in the org, the Cubs have generally received solid results on the pitching side of things despite constantly piecing things together (which is both a compliment to the org, and also a criticism of their inability to develop impactful pitchers internally).
Borzello has been around since the Dale Sveum days, and he works closely with the catchers and pitchers on gameplanning and strategy. He’s a key piece of the pitching infrastructure, where Brad Mills (who slid into Hottovy’s old role last year) will also be retained:
The Cubs’ 2020 MLB pitching infracture will include Tommy Hottovy (pitching coach), Chris Young (bullpen coach), Mike Borzello (associate pitching, catching and strategy) and Brad Mills (advance scouting and run prevention).@sahadevsharma 1st on hiring of Young.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) November 7, 2019