Source: Parra, Gutierrez promoted to Nats' coaching staff

In reshaping their coaching staff, the Nationals appear to be looking inward for help.

The Nats are promoting Ricky Gutierrez to third base coach and Gerardo Parra to first base coach, a source familiar with the decisions confirmed, filling two of the four vacant jobs on Davey Martinez’s big league staff with a couple of former big league players who already worked for the organization.

Gutierrez, who replaces Gary DiSarcina, spent this season as the Nationals run prevention coordinator, essentially an extra infield coach on the major league staff who traveled with the team and was in the dugout during games. He received praise for his work with CJ Abrams, who developed into a much better defensive shortstop over the course of the season.

The 53-year-old former infielder for the Padres, Astros, Cubs, Indians, Mets and Red Sox will be coaching third base in the majors for the first time. He does have some experience at that position, though, as manager of the Reds’ Double-A affiliate in 2021.

DiSarcina had far more big league coaching experience, including the last two years with the Nationals, but the club did not renew his contract after the season ended, signaling a desire for better performance at that position.

Parra replaces Eric Young Jr., who also spent the last two seasons on Martinez’s staff, hired despite no previous coaching experience. He figures to be responsible for the same areas Young was: outfield defense and baserunning, hoping to tap into his experience as a player to help the Nats improve in both departments.

The 36-year-old former outfielder is already immensely popular within the Nationals clubhouse and among the fan base, having forever endeared himself as part of the 2019 World Series championship roster with his clutch hits off the bench and unlikely crowd-rousing walk-up song (“Baby Shark”).

After making one final attempt to continue his playing career in 2022, Parra officially retired and accepted a position as a special assistant to general manager Mike Rizzo. He has spent the last two seasons helping out at spring training, traveling to work with minor league players and making occasional trips to D.C. to work with major leaguers. This will be his first coaching job.

The Nationals still need to fill two more positions on Martinez’s staff: bench coach and assistant hitting coach after Tim Bogar and Pat Roessler were not retained. It’s not yet clear if catching coordinator Henry Blanco, one of Martinez’s closest confidants, is being considered for the bench coach role.