Enrique Rojas from ESPN is reporting that the Pittsburgh Pirates plan to interview Andy Barkett for their vacant hitting coach position. Barkett is currently with the Boston Red Sox, who are still playing in the postseason. Rojas also notes that the Texas Rangers plan to interview Barkett for a hitting coach position.
Barkett already has experience with the Pittsburgh Pirates, including as a player for them in 2001 when he hit .304 in 17 games, which turned out to be his only big league experience. He also played with the Rangers in the minor leagues for six seasons, so there is a connection to both teams.
Barkett led Indianapolis to the playoffs last year as a manager. Before that, he was the minor league assistant hitting coordinator for the Pirates in 2016. He has a total of nine years of minor league managerial experience and 11 years as a player.
Two weeks ago, the Pirates decided to part ways with hitting coach Jeff Branson and assistant hitting coach Jeff Livesey
