After a disappointing 2024 season, Skip Schumaker, the former manager of the Miami Marlins, chose to leave the team. Now, the Marlins have announced their new manager.
On Sunday, Miami confirmed the hiring of Clayton McCullough as their new manager, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. McCullough, who most recently was the first base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers and celebrated a World Series win in 2024, is now stepping into the managerial role.
McCullough has been with the Dodgers since 2021, where he previously served as the minor league field coordinator. His managerial experience includes overseeing the Toronto Blue Jays’ minor league system from 2007 to 2014, achieving a record of 629-559 while managing teams at the Rookie and Class-A levels.
This new role represents a significant advancement for McCullough. He now has a platform to demonstrate his leadership abilities at the major league level. Despite the honor of becoming an MLB manager, the inherent challenges of this position cannot be overlooked.
Following an 84-78 record and a playoff appearance in 2023, the Miami Marlins completely revamped their front office after a lackluster performance in 2024. The hiring of Pete Bendix as the new President of Baseball Operations marked a strategic pivot toward budget-friendly tactics, drawing on Bendix’s experience with the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Marlins have made considerable roster adjustments, trading away players including Jazz Chisholm, Tanner Scott, Trevor Rogers, and AJ Puk, but these changes have yet to produce substantial results, reflected in just three players making it onto the MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects list.
Nonetheless, Clayton McCullough stood out as a sought-after managerial candidate during the hiring process, fueled by his success with the Los Angeles Dodgers. While Miami may not have the financial clout to sign players of Shohei Ohtani’s caliber, McCullough’s skills will be vital in developing the Marlins’ future talent.
The Marlins are optimistic that McCullough is the right choice to guide the team into its next phase.
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