John Mallee

New coaches familiar to organization

By Bailey Stephens / MLB.com | June 23, 2010

After the dismissal of Fredi Gonzalez and his staff, the Marlins restocked their ranks with a host of coaches from all levels of their system. Here’s a closer look at the backgrounds of the interim manager and coaches.Edwin Rodriguez, interim manager: Rodriguez is no stranger to the Marlins’ system and personnel in his eighth season with the organization. He has coached at nearly every level of the organization, most recently serving as the manager of Triple-A New Orleans since 2009. The Zephyrs were in third place in the Pacific Coast League’s South Division with a 33-37 record Wednesday. During his time in New Orleans, Rodriguez managed several current Marlins, including outfielders Chris Coghlan and Mike Stanton. His resume includes two years as manager of Class A Greensboro (2007-08) and two as manager of the Gulf Coast League Marlins (2005-06). Prior to managing, Rodriguez served as the hitting coach for the Double-A Carolina Mudcats.

Before joining the Marlins, Rodriguez coached in the Tampa Bay organization, managing a rookie league team and the Class A Hudson Valley squad. Rodriguez also has scouting experience, as he worked as a Twins scout from 1989-96, after his playing days were complete.
As a player, Rodriguez spent small stints in three seasons in the Major Leagues with the Yankees and Padres in the early 1980s. In the Minor Leagues, the infielder compiled more than 2,500 at-bats and finished with a career average of .265.

Brandon Hyde, interim bench coach: At 35, Hyde has spent his entire managerial career in the lower levels of Florida’s system, before becoming the Minor League coordinator this season. In 2009, Hyde managed Double-A Jacksonville to a Southern League championship. His resume also includes a year managing at Class A Advanced Jupiter (2008) and a year with Double-A Carolina (2007). Before that, he began his managerial career with the Greensboro Grasshoppers of the Class A South Atlantic League.

Hyde spent his playing career in the White Sox organization, as a catcher/designated hitter for five seasons from 1997-2001. His best season was in 1998, when he turned in a .372 average for the Bristol Sox of the Appalachian League.

John Mallee, interim hitting coach: Serving as the organization’s Minor League hitting coordinator for the past nine seasons, Mallee has worked with some of the Marlins’ top prospects, including Coghlan, the 2009 National League Rookie of the Year, and Stanton. Mallee was considered last season for the Texas Rangers’ Major League hitting coach, but that job eventually went to Clint Hurdle.

Mallee completed two Minor League seasons as a player, both in the Phillies organization. The infielder finished with a career Minors line of .208/.313/.257.