Fredi Gonzalez completed his first staff as the new skipper of the Braves when he hired former Detroit Tiger manager, Larry Parrish, as the hitting coach this week. Parrish replaces Terry Pendleton, who moves into the first base coaching role. Parrish served as Detroit's bench from 1997-1998, as manager form 1998-1999, and as a scout. He has managed the Toledo minor league team since 2003.
Pendleton was often criticized during the last few seasons and Parrish will likely be a step in the right direction. He will undoubtedly play a key role in the development of young hitters Jason Heyward and Freddi Freeman. How easily he can aid the young Braves in breaking out of a slump and translating their huge potential into power numbers will be a key factor in whether the Braves return to the postseason in 2011.
