Cubs hire former Phillies coach Craig Driver to complete manager David Ross’ coaching staff

The Cubs hired former Phillies coach Craig Driver to fill the final spot on manager David Ross’ staff for 2020, sources confirmed Sunday.

Driver, 31, becomes the Cubs’ new first-base coach and catching coach. He earned praise for his work with Phillies Gold Glove catcher J.T. Realmuto. Former first-base coach Will Venable moves to third base.

Driver, a former college catcher with the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, spent the last two seasons as the Phillies’ bullpen catcher and receiving coach. He spent the five previous seasons coaching in college, most recently as catching coach for Yale in 2016-17.

Driver fills the opening on the staff created when third-base coach Brian Butterfield left for former manager Joe Maddon’s staff with the Angels.

He is the Cubs’ fourth new coach since Ross was hired to replace Maddon. The others: bench coach Andy Green (replacing Mark Loretta), bullpen coach Chris Young (Lester Strode) and quality-assurance coach Mike Napoli (Chris Denorfia).