Braves Tab Larry Parrish as Hitting Coach

This just in from Jon Paul Morosi via twitter:

"Braves name Larry Parrish as hitting coach. Tigers need a new AAA manager"

Just like that, the Toledo MudHens are without a skipper. Parrish has guided the ‘Hens since 2003 in his second tour of duty as their manager. He also skippered the MudHens for one season in 1994. He was named International League Manager of the year in 2005, guiding the Toledo ballclub to the IL title. He was the manager for the Tigers in 1998 and 1999 where he compiled an 82-104 record.

The Braves, under new manager Fredi Gonzalez, chose Parrish to be their man over his Toledo hitting coach Leon “Bull” Durham, who is one of the most respected hitting tutors in the minor leagues.

Tigers beat writer Jason Beck responded to the announcement by saying “(it’s) worth noting that Matt Walbeck is still out there.” Walbeck was relieved of his duties managing the Pirates Double-A club after the season and was a skipper in the Tigers minors for a number of years. He has won multiple Manager of the year awards and league titles in his managing career and is known to be looking to progress beyond the Double-A level. An opening at Toledo could be his ticket back to the Tigers organization.

The move is a great opportunity for Parrish to get back to the major leagues and it is a loss for the Tigers and their Triple-A affiliate. That said, if Walbeck is the guy who replaces him, Detroit may come out as big winners in this move, and may ultimately find a successor for Jim Leyland.