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Jim Skaalen is in his first season as the As hitting coach after spending the previous two seasons in the same capacity with the Milwaukee Brewers. In his first year with Milwaukee, the Brewers hit a franchise record and Major League-leading 231 home runs.
Skaalen began his coaching career in 1981 at Single-A Daytona Beach of the Houston Astros organization and then spent eight seasons as a minor league manager, compiling a 509-543 record. His managerial career began in the San Diego organization with stints at Single-A Walla Walla (1982), Single-A Reno (1983-84, 86) and Single-A Charleston (1985). Skaalen moved to the Texas organization and Single-A Port Charlotte in 1987 before earning Texas League Manager of the Year honors in 1988 after guiding Double-A Tulsa to the league championship. His final season as manager came at Triple-A Oklahoma City in 1989. He has also served as minor league hitting instructor for the Rangers (1990), coordinator of minor league instruction for Seattle (1991-96), director of player development for the Padres (1997-99) and minor league hitting coordinator for the Brewers (2000-06).
A former first baseman and third baseman, Skaalen played professionally for three seasons in the Baltimore Orioles farm system and batted .246 with 15 home runs and 123 RBI in 251 games. He was originally drafted by the Orioles in the 1976 June Draft.
Skaalen graduated from Coronado (CA) High School and attended San Diego State University. His father, Morris, pitched in the minor leagues with the Pirates organization prior to serving in World War II and his mother, Lyda, was a national water skiing champion in 1941. Skaalen and his wife, Cheryl, have a daughter, Erin, and three sons, Bevan, Jay and Christopher.
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Roster
