Sherman, Bendix address hiring of new Marlins manager McCullough. And hitting coach hired

The Marlins on Monday explained their decision to hire Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough as their new manager and also began filling his coaching staff.

The first hire: a veteran hitting coach who has deep ties to a Marlins executive.

Pedro Guerrero, who had been the San Francisco Giants’ assistant hitting coach for the past three seasons, will serve as the Marlins’ hitting coach, a source confirmed.

Marlins assistant general manager Gabe Kapler has hired Guerrero, 35, as an assistant hitting coach twice before — once with Philadelphia in 2018 and then with the Giants beginning in the 2022 season. Guerrero spent one season with the Giants after Kapler’s departure from San Francisco.

Guerrero was born in the Dominican Republic and is the nephew of former MLB manager Manny Acta. He played parts of eight seasons in the minor leagues, in the Dodgers system, but never rose above Single A, hitting .236 with a .287 on base percentage.

Meanwhile, Marlins owner Bruce Sherman and president/baseball operations Peter Bendix released statements addressing the hiring of McCullough, who has been the Dodgers’ first base coach for the past four seasons.

“We are thrilled to introduce Clayton McCullough as manager of the Miami Marlins following an extensive search,” Sherman said. “Clayton joins our organization following a World Series championship season and brings a strong pedigree of winning. His love of the game, ability to build meaningful relationships and new leadership will guide our organization into an exciting new era. With roots already in South Florida, we are excited to welcome Clayton along with his wife Jill and their children to the Marlins organization.”

McCullough, who has a home in Jupiter, said in a statement: “It is an honor to be introduced as the manager for the Miami Marlins, and I would like to thank Bruce, Peter , and the entire organization. Following an incredible past few weeks, it is exciting to end the year by finding the right opportunity for me and my family. We have called South Florida home for the last 10 years, and now I get to lead the Marlins franchise forward with a culture that is built on determination, focus, and care.”

McCullough, 42, has extensive minor-league managing experience, compiling a 402-367 record while managing four teams in the low-level minors: Toronto’s rookie-league team in 2007, Lansing (Michigan) in 2008 and 2009, Dunedin in 2010 and 2011 and Vancouver in 2012 and 2013.

He joined the Dodgers in 2015, first as their minor-league field coordinator and then running the team’s alternate site camp at the University of Southern California during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

“Throughout our process, his character, care for people and culture, passion for player development, and desire to win stood out and make him a perfect fit for our organization,” Bendix said. “He has an impressive track record of success, building relationships, and bringing positive energy every day. It’s clear that Clayton’s values and vision align perfectly with ours, and we are ready to begin working on the next exciting chapter for our club.”

McCullough previously interviewed for the Marlins managerial job, with a different Marlins administration, before Skip Schumaker was hired prior to the 2022 season. This cycle was the first time that he interviewed with Bendix.

Bendix spoke with McCullough at least three times during the process — once on Zoom, an in-person meeting in Jupiter a week ago and again at loanDepot Park last Friday, during an interview that Sherman attended.

Former major league outfielder Travis Snider said of McCullough: “He was my first hitting coach in rookie ball. I believe it was his first year coaching in pro ball as well. He’s a pro’s pro. Knows how to connect with people. Unreal [batting practice] thrower. Really happy for him.”

McCullough, the 17th manager in Marlins history, replaces Schumaker, who left the organization by mutual decision after two seasons as the team’s skipper. Two of the 17 (Jack McKeon and John Boles) have been in the position twice, so McCullough’s managerial tenure will be the 19th in team history.

Miami Herald senior baseball correspondent Craig Mish contributed to this report.