The Miami Marlins have made a significant decision in hiring Clayton McCullough as their new manager. McCullough, a former first-base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is set to take on the new role, according to a source familiar with the hiring.
McCullough, 44, joined the Dodgers organization in 2015 as the minor league field coordinator and later became the first-base coach under Dave Roberts in 2021. His time with the Dodgers culminated in a World Series victory last month, where they defeated the New York Yankees in five games.
Prior to his time with the Dodgers, McCullough served as a manager in the Toronto Blue Jays’ minor league system for seven seasons. His experience both as a player and a coach has prepared him for this new opportunity with the Marlins.
The managerial position was previously held by Skip Schumaker, who was named the NL Manager of the Year in 2023. However, Schumaker and the Marlins decided to part ways in September after a relatively short tenure. During his time with the team, the Marlins had a record of 146-178.
McCullough, a native of Greenville, North Carolina, has a background in baseball that dates back to his time as a college player at East Carolina University. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 2002 and spent several years in their minor league system.
In the process of selecting their new manager, the Marlins also considered other candidates such as Craig Albernaz, a former bench coach for the Cleveland Guardians, and Will Venable, who previously served as an associate manager for the Texas Rangers. Venable ultimately accepted a managerial position with the Chicago White Sox, while Albernaz reportedly removed himself from consideration for the Marlins’ job.
The Marlins’ decision to hire McCullough reflects their commitment to finding a leader who can guide the team to success in the upcoming seasons. With his experience and proven track record in baseball, McCullough is poised to make a positive impact as the Marlins’ new manager. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development in the world of baseball.