What shapes up as possibly the first major hire by new Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto gets, if nothing else, high marks in terms of thinking outside the box.
Multiple sources say the Mariners plan to hire Andy McKay, who spent the last three seasons as Colorado’s mental-skills coach, to replace Chris Gwynn as their farm director.
The Mariners have not confirmed the move.
McKay’s official title with the Rockies was peak performance coordinator. His responsibilities included working with players at all levels, including the big leagues. He also has 13 years of experience as a college coach.
Hiring McKay suggests Dipoto believes a better mental approach can help unlock the potential of several prospects, such as former first-round picks Alex Jackson and D.J. Peterson, who each had disappointing seasons.
It also reinforces previous indications that Dipoto views the Mariners’ player-development department as the culprit in the organization’s inability to provide the big-league club with a steady flow of homegrown talent.
While Dipoto opted to retain Tom McNamara as scouting director and Tim Kissner as director of international operations, Gwynn is departing after four seasons as the director of player development.
The Mariners have also fired several minor-league coaches.
McKay spent 13 years as the head coach at Sacramento City College prior to joining the Rockies in September 2012. He also coached in the Cape Cod and Northwoods summer leagues.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
