After promoting Greg Colbrunn to manager of Low-A Charleston last week, the Yankees filled his previous gig as the team’s hitting coach with Justin Turner. The 30-year-old Turner was the Angels’ eighth round pick in 2001, and retired in 2005 as a .237-.309-.370 career hitter. From what I can find, this is his first coaching job, though I suspect I’m wrong.
Coaching is something that is perpetually underappreciated in player development. Drafting and signing players is only one piece of the puzzle; you need to have the right people in place to help those kids learn and hone their skills. It’s funny how guys like Dave Eiland and Kevin Long can become very good coaches despite spotty track records as players.