White Sox make coaching changes from inside organization

When the White Sox promoted Rick Renteria from bench coach to replace Robin Ventura as manager, it left at least one opening on the team’s coaching staff. With four consecutive losing seasons, one might expect to see even more turnover in the administration.

According to Scott Merkin, the subsequent churn follows the same theme of promoting from within, although two of the changes are not nearly as straightforward.

• Bench coach: Joe McEwing, who created a vacancy at ...
• Third base coach: ... which was filled by Nick Capra, the White Sox’ former director of player development.
• Bullpen coach: Minor league pitching coordinator Curt Hasler replaces Bobby Thigpen.

McEwing had the inside track to the job, and, like Renteria, he’d be thoroughly qualified for it based on his experience and reputation. I only hope that Renteria was allowed to draw that conclusion for himself.

The other ones come from further off the board, although Merkin says Capra and Hasler were around the White Sox in September after the minor league seasons ended. Capra leaves the bigger hole in the White Sox front office by title, and his familiarity with the younger White Sox players might come in handy. The call for Hasler is particularly intriguing, though, as he’s been regarded as instrumental in the White Sox’ ability to refine pitchers with unconventional deliveries. Don Cooper is expected to return for a 16th season as pitching coach and his 30th in the White Sox organization, and Hasler has been around for 25 of them.

Also returning: Todd Steverson and Greg Sparks, showing that the White Sox aren’t scapegoating their hitting coaches after another year of lackluster production. Likewise, Daryl Boston remains at first base coach.