TORONTO -- The Blue Jays filled the biggest hole on their coaching staff on Monday, hiring David Popkins as the club’s new hitting coach.
The 34-year-old Popkins is well regarded in baseball circles, and he spent the past three seasons as the hitting coach for the Twins after working in the Dodgers’ system also as a hitting coach. Popkins replaces Guillermo Martinez, who was not brought back by the Blue Jays after the 2024 season. Popkins will work with assistant hitting coaches Matt Hague and Hunter Mense.
“David’s ability to game plan and connect with players in different ways is a really exciting addition to our coaching staff,” manager John Schneider said in a statement. “He's a true expert in all types of hitting information and will help our offensive strategy for each game. We’re looking forward to the instant impact of his relentless work ethic.”
This finishes the Blue Jays’ restructure of their offensive staff, which includes Don Mattingly sliding out of last season’s “offensive coordinator” role and back into the more traditional job of bench coach.
Popkins was one of four Twins coaches not brought back after a disappointing 2024 season for the organization, but Minnesota’s offensive numbers over his three years leading that hitting group are encouraging:
2024: .726 OPS (11th in MLB), 183 HR (14th)
2023: .754 OPS (7th), 233 HR (3rd)
2022: .718 OPS (11th), 178 HR (13th)
The most important review of any hitting coach comes from their own players, though, and many within the Twins organization have publicly praised Popkins. Carlos Correa, in particular, spoke about his appreciation for Popkins towards the end of the 2024 season.
“I learned a lot about my swing, learned a lot about my approach, learned a lot about just the game in general. Popkins, the hitting coach, helped me understand myself a little better,” Correa said. “A .900 OPS for some people comes with homers and walks. For me, it comes with being a little more creative, and he helped me understand that I don’t have to hit a home run every at-bat. Pop has been a huge help for me and I’m grateful that I came to this organization and he was my hitting coach.”
This is a crucial addition for the Blue Jays, who need to get much more out of the talent already on their roster and are expected to add in free agency or trade this offseason. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has re-established himself as a legitimate superstar, but outside of Vladdy, this lineup disappointed in nearly every way last season, hitting just 156 home runs (26th in MLB).
Popkins will be tasked with supporting stars like Guerrero and veterans who already know their swings -- like George Springer -- but he’ll also do important work with the Blue Jays’ next wave of young hitters -- including Orelvis Martinez, Will Wagner, Leo Jiménez, Alan Roden and Spencer Horwitz.
Popkins has a reputation for being particularly strong with swing mechanics and motivating his hitters. All of that work begins in four months when the Blue Jays gather again in Dunedin, Fla., for Spring Training, and given the success Popkins has already had coaching in this league at such a young age, this is an encouraging step for the Blue Jays before their offseason begins.
This lineup could take a different shape over the coming months, too, as Toronto will look to add at least one high-end bat to support Guerrero in the lineup. Left field seems like the easiest fit, but the Blue Jays could also make room at third base or second base by moving around some of their versatile young depth pieces.