Angels Hire Former Utilityman To Be Assistant Coach

The revamping of the staff continues for Ron Washington.

Angels skipper Ron Washington is widely respected for several things, among them his ability to develop players by getting back to the basics with on-field work. This extends to fielding drills, conditioning to improve functional athleticism and cage work.

Another facet in building a culture for any entity is continuity. If someone has been a steady performer for your business over a decent period, there's a strong probability you can depend on that person.  

Last week, Washington added another coach to the Angels' revamped staff. With the hiring came both continuity and a proven track record of someone who's competed at the highest level. 

As reported by reporter Sam Blum of The Athletic, former MLB utilityman Jayson Nix inked a deal to become a coach on Washington's staff for this upcoming season. 

Jayson Nix joined the Angels major league coaching staff with the title of "assistant coach".

Nix was an MLB utilityman for seven years with eight different teams. Most recently, he was the Angels' assistant field coordinator.

— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) January 26, 2024

Nix was one of those gritty players who carved out a nice niche for himself based on hard work and fundamentals rather than flash talent and big-time ability. 

He made his MLB debut in 2008 and played for eight teams (Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Guardians, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals) before ultimately retiring from the game in 2014. Along the way, he played for Team USA in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, winning a bronze medal. 

Nix was hired by the Angels as a scout in 2017. Prior to the 2021 season, he became a hitting coach for the Angels' rookie-level team in the Arizona Complex League. He was then elevated to minor league assistant field coordinator prior to the 2022 season, a role he continued in last year.

Now, Nix has earned yet another promotion. His experience in the system can only aid Washington in evaluating existing talent within the franchise. His background as a former player is also something that can be utilized positively for those looking to break into the big leagues.

On an Angels coaching staff defined by change for most of the last five years, Nix represents the rare beacon of continuity.