Milwaukee Brewers: Andy Haines hired as hitting coach per report

With hitting coach Darnell Coles leaving for the Arizona Diamonbacks, the Milwaukee Brewers needed to add to their coaching staff. They’ve reportedly signed Andy Haines as their new hitting coach.

The Milwaukee Brewers had to replace Darnell Coles when he resigned from his role as hitting coach on October 25th. Less than two weeks later and the Brewers have filled Coles’ role with Andy Haines. That leaves us asking one question: ‘Who is Andy Haines?’

Where did Haines come from?

Haines started his coaching career after finishing his playing days after college. He was hired by the independent Northern League in 2007. From there, he spent eight years in the Miami Marlins Minor League system in various roles until the end of the 2015 season. 2016 saw Haines change jobs and organizations again. He joined the Chicago Cubs as a Minor League hitting instructor. He was promoted to assistant hitting coach at the Major League level before the 2018 season.

Cubs hitting coach Chili Davis was dismissed after the 2018 season, and Haines was passed over for a promotion by Anthony Iapoce. Oddly enough, Iapoce has a connection to the Milwaukee Brewers. He was a 33rd round draft pick in the 1994 amateur draft, and spent seven years with the Brewers organization.

Does Haines have a Brewers connection?

Haines has never played or coached for the Milwaukee Brewers until now. However, he does have a connection to the 25-man roster.

Haines was in the Marlins Minor League system at the same time as Christian Yelich. He coached and managed Yelich at several levels of the Marlins system.

What does this mean for the rest of the coaching staff?

It’s unclear at this point. Milwaukee Brewers assistant hitting coach Jason Lane could still return, but he’s reportedly been given permission to seek employment elsewhere.

The Milwaukee Brewers still have openings at the Major League level for pitching coach and bullpen coach, but they’ve decided who’s going to set the tone for their offense. It’s unclear how much the connection to Yelich played in this decision. It’s not known if Yelich had direct input on Haines’ hiring, or he was hired without an endorsement from the Brewers MVP candidate. However, it’s hard to believe that the Brewers would hire a hitting coach that has a connection to Yelich and not at least ask his thoughts.