The Brewers have hired a hitting coach but still have two spots to fill

The Milwaukee Brewers have filled their hitting coach vacancy by hiring Andy Haines, assistant hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs.

The move was first reported Saturday by MLB Network. The Brewers did not announce the hiring, but it was confirmed by a source in Chicago.

Haines, 41, replaces Darnell Coles, who left the Brewers’ staff to become hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Haines has a long history with Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich, who is coming off a spectacular season that is expected to earn him National League most valuable player honors. He managed him many years in Miami’s farm system, including his first pro seasons with the Class A Greensboro Grasshoppers and two years at advanced Class A Jupiter.

After managing two seasons for Miami’s Class AAA affiliate in New Orleans, Haines was hired by the Cubs in 2016 to be their minor-league hitting instructor. He was promoted to Chicago’s assistant hitting coach before the 2018 season.

The Cubs fired hitting coach Chili Davis after they were eliminated in the NL wild-card game, and they passed over Haines for the job, hiring former Texas Rangers hitting coach Anthony Iapoce. Chicago’s offense faltered down the stretch as the Brewers caught them and claimed the NL Central crown with a 3-1 victory in a Game No. 163 showdown.

Haines was a catcher for Eastern Illinois University before beginning his career as a coach/manager in independent ball. He then was hired by the Marlins to serve in their system as a hitting coach and manager.

After Coles resigned, the Brewers said assistant hitting coach Jason Lane would be considered to replace him but also had permission to look for other opportunities.

The Brewers still must find a replacement for pitching coach Derek Johnson, who left unexpectedly to take the same position with the Cincinnati Reds, as well as bullpen coach Lee Tunnell, who was dismissed.