It was four years ago that Johnny Washington interviewed for the Los Angeles Angels’ managerial position that went to Joe Maddon. But, the SoCal native has finally found his way to Anaheim as the team’s new hitting coach.
Washington was the San Diego Padres’ hitting coach in 2019. He coached in Korea for a season and has spent the past two years as the Chicago Cubs’ assistant hitting coach. Some of their best hitters over the past couple of years have credited Washington with helping to improve their games.
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The Angels have mostly reconstructed their coaching staff under new manager Ron Washington (no relation). The Athletic spoke with new pitching coach Barry Enright for a Q&A on Wednesday.
Johnny Washington spoke with The Athletic early this week, as well. Here’s what he had to say.
Note: This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length.
What does this kind of opportunity mean for you to work with Ron Washington?
It’s humbling, just to say the least. To get a chance to work for the franchise that you grew up 15, 20 minutes away from. Then to get a chance to work with this group of guys. From a staff standpoint and a player standpoint, you couldn’t be more excited. Wash is a tremendous leader.
Getting a chance to watch him from afar — coaching third base from the coach’s box — you just admire a lot of the things he’s done over his time within this game, and the impact and influence he’s had over not just players but staff, as well. It’s a tremendous opportunity. I’m looking forward it. Couldn’t be more excited.
The Angels announced they’ve hired Johnny Washington as their hitting coach.
He’s a SoCal native and reportedly interviewed for their managerial opening after the 2019 season.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) November 18, 2023
What was your history with Ron Washington before this? And can you take me through the process of interviewing for and accepting this job?
There’s a mutual respect for Wash and myself, just through passing. Him being a huge trailblazer and coaching in this game for a long time. The process was very good. It was fast. Very full of excitement and energy. You can sense the passion, the urgency and just the leadership capability there. You can just sense that it’s something I’m thrilled to be a part of.
When did the interview process actually start, and how did it play out?
I don’t have a real timeline for that. I really don’t remember to give an exact date and when it took place. But all I know is that the process was fun. Fun process. Fun group of men to talk to. I’m thankful to be in this position.
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Do you have any big-picture philosophy as a hitting coach?
No. There’s not really a philosophy there. I think we will work with each guy individually and figure out what their strengths and weaknesses are and try and put those guys in the best position to succeed and go from there. I wouldn’t come in with some type of philosophy, other than figure out what’s best for each guy.
Like last year, the approach was to be more aggressive. Some hitting coaches are keen on working counts. You’re more individually based than having a preference there?
Yeah, it’s who are they? I guess the biggest philosophy pillar there would be trust. Once you gain trust and learn the player, I think from there you can actually move the needle in a few different areas that both parties agree on. Both coach and player agree what’s best for the player to be successful.
Have you gotten a chance to watch tape on the hitters? Have you started preparing for how you can work with guys on an individual basis?
There’s some familiarity with some of the guys from a distance. There’s not an intimate familiarity yet. But I’m sure we will get to the bottom of that. Once we get close, and we get a chance to talk to some of the players and figure out some of their goals and some of their opportunities for success, I think we start from there. The biggest thing is getting to know the player, trusting the player and finding a trust on both sides.
You said there was a familiarity with certain players from afar. Who would be someone you’ve gotten a chance to watch and came away with any impression about?
That’s a trap question. I’ll just be really open-ended here. Most of the guys that are on the roster, I have done some looking at and kind of have a good idea about what I think. But what I think is not the best answer. It’s going to take a collaborative effort to figure out what’s best and get to know each individual. It’s not my way. It’s what’s best for the player, and what’s best for the organization.
You’re from Long Beach. What does it mean for you to coach back at home?
I mean, you get a chance to come home and see family, which is always great. But you have to have an understanding that you’re there to work. You’re there to serve and lead and also have a good time, all in the same breath, if possible. It’s still work. I look at it as work. It’s going to be fun. I think it will be great. I think we’ve got a great group.
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There’s no doubt the Angels have talent. But they’ve struggled quite a bit over the years. What do you think it takes to be successful with the Angels?
This is a tough game. I’ll just tell you that the game is tough. I know that there’s a lot of guys in the major leagues who make the game look really easy. But it’s really a tough game. I think the biggest thing is guys coming to the ballpark every day ready to compete. But just understanding that this game is really tough. It’s really hard. It’s really demanding. And for me — you’re asking about what’s been the problem — I don’t have the answer to that. What I do know is that it’s a tough game and nobody’s out there trying to fail, trying not to be successful.
The Angels also hired Tim Laker as offensive coordinator. That’s a different title than the team has used. What does it mean for how duties will be split?
Tim will be fun. I’m excited to have him working alongside myself. He and I will tag team any and everything. We’ll work collaboratively to get things done. That’s the best way I can put that. As far as responsibilities go, I haven’t gotten that far. I don’t even want to talk responsibilities. I think just him and I tag-teaming it, to find out what’s best for us as an offense, to help the guys move the needle and score some runs.
It’s been reported that you played a role in Cody Bellinger’s career resurgence last season in Chicago. What was the work you did with him? How do you come in with suggestions and work with guys individually?
Cody was a good baseball player before he came to Chicago, first and foremost. The hitting department established a plan that Cody bought into. (Cubs hitting coach) Dustin Kelly, myself and a few other guys on the hitting side, we found a plan. We found something that we believed Cody would like. At the end of the day, Cody made the decision that he felt like this is what was best, and we all got on the same end of that role and pulled the same way. Cody deserves all the credit for any success that he’s had while in a Chicago Cubs uniform. And the offensive group, we were a piece of his success.
Like you said, Cody was a great hitter. But he had to unlock it again. As a hitting coach, how much of that work is mental?
Yeah, I think there’s a marriage between them, the mental aspect and the mechanical aspect. The offensive group did a great game plan for him coming into spring training, coming out of spring training and all throughout the year. Both mentally and physically.
What was the plan? What work did you do?
I would rather not disclose that. That’s not fair. I don’t think that’s fair.
I wanted to ask you about Mike Trout. Obviously, he’s arguably the greatest hitter ever. But he has struggled a lot with fastballs the past two seasons. Are there things you could work on with Trout, or any hitter, to address an issue like that? What kind of things can you do with any hitter to improve on specific struggles they’re dealing with?
That question, I will not answer in this moment.
Have you gotten a chance to talk to any of the players yet?
No, the holidays just ended. So at some point here, hopefully before the next holiday, get a chance to introduce myself and have them introduce themselves.
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Joc Pederson has given you a bunch of credit. He’s an accomplished hitter. What has gone into that relationship and the work you’ve done?
As I mentioned, the player does all the work. We come up with suggestions and give him the best ideas that we think in that moment are good, and hopefully they work. I’ve been wrong more times than I’ve been right, I can tell you that. Joc and I have a great relationship. He’s like a brother to me. All the success is for him, and the things he’s said have been really cool, really nice. I’m just a small piece, passing through.
What got you into coaching?
I just have a passion for teaching. Passion for the grind. Passion for the struggle. A passion for things that are challenging. I enjoy that. I think that is what has led me down the hitting coach path. It’s been a true passion. It’s been a fun ride. And I’m looking forward to continuing this ride down there in Anaheim.
(Photo of Johnny Washington and his son, Jayson, from 2022: Kevin Reece / USA Today)
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