Six clubs will start 2019 with new managers, and five of those six will be rookies Skippers Stock Report

BY KATIE WOO

BradAusmus ANGELS

After nearly 20 years, the Angels have a new manager. Los Angeles hired the former Tigers manager to replace Mike Scioscia, the team’s manager for the past 19 seasons, after he resigned. Ausmus managed Detroit from 2014-2017, where he posted a 314332 record and led the team to a division title in his first year at the helm. After Detroit did not renew his contract for 2018, Ausmus joined the Angels’ front office. Now he hopes to improve on the Angels dismal 80-82 season last year.

RoccoBaldelli TWINS

Charlie Montoya, above left, warmed up for his first managerial job with the Blue Jays by helping keep Asdrubal Cabrera from getting ejected by the umpire in Tampa. New skippers, below left: Brad Ausmus of the Angels, David Bell of the Reds and Brandon Hyde of the Orioles.

DavidBell REDS

After serving as the Giants’ vice president of player development in 2018, Bell will make his major league managerial debut for the Reds. He served as the Cardinals’ bench coach from 2014 to 2017 and also managed various teams in the Reds’ farm system. Bell will have his work cut out for him in his inaugural year -- Cincinnati finished in last place in the division in 2018 (67-95, 28.5 games back) and teams like the Brewers, Cubs and Cardinals are showing no sign of slowing down in 2019.

ChrisWoodward RANGERS

The Rangers finished last season 36 games back from first place. It’s their hope that Woodward can help get the team back on track. Woodward previously served as the Dodgers’ third-base coach, and his task as a first-year manager won’t be an easy one. With the Astros poised to be at the helm once again, and the A’s and Angels taking a turn for the better, expectations are low for Texas in 2019.

CharlieMontoyo

BLUE JAYS

After 21 years in the Rays’ orga- nization and 18 years of managing in the minor leagues, Montoyo made the leap to the majors in hopes of righting the ship of a struggling Blue Jays team. Toronto finished fourth in the cutthroat AL East last season, and their record of 73-89 was a far cry from division champ Boston’s 108-54. The Rays made waves in 2018 for their unique game strategies, and that may be a component Montoyo brings in an effort to turn the organization around.

Baldelli joins the Twins after eight years in the Rays organization. At 37 years old, he is the youngest manager in the majors. Minnesota finished second in the AL Central – arguably baseball’s worst division last season – but still fell 13 games behind Cleveland.

BrandonHyde ORIOLES

After spending time in the Marlins and Cubs organizations – including a bench coach role for Chicago in 2018 – Hyde took over for Buck Showalter after the team did not renew his contract at the end of his nine-year tenure. The O’s held a whopping major league worst record at 47-115 last year, so it will be hard for Hyde to do worse. He does possess some managerial experience – he was the acting manager for the Marlins for one game in 2011.