Rangers hire Dave Magadan as hitting instructor

The Texas Rangers have announced the hiring of Dave Magadan to be their hitting instructor. Magadan held the same position with the Boston Red Sox since 2007. He had an option for the upcoming season, but was given permission to speak to other clubs.

During his tenure with the Red Sox, Magadan helped the offense be one of the most prolific in the Major Leagues. From 2007-11 the team led the league in hits, walks, doubles, extra-base hits, total bases, batting average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage. With a track record like that over an extended period of time, he should be able to help the Rangers improve at the plate.

SB Nation's Rangers blog, Lone Star Ball, discusses how the hitting coach position has seen a lot of turnover the past few years:

The Rangers' hitting coach position has been something of a revolving door of late, with Rudy Jaramillo being replaced by Clint Hurdle after Jaramillo left after the 2009 season. Hurdle spent one year as hitting coach, 2010, before leaving to become the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hurdle was replaced by Thad Bosley, but Bosley was fired in 2011, with Scott Coolbaugh being promoted from the AAA hitting coach job to take over mid-season.

Scott Coolbaugh was the Rangers hitting coach for just part of the 2011 season, and he is now being reassigned within the organization.