TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays have hired David Popkins as the team’s new hitting coach.
He succeeded Guillermo Martinez in that position. Martinez was released last season when Toronto ranked last in the American League East.
Popkins, 34, a native of San Diego, California, has been the hitting coach for the Minnesota Twins for the past three years.
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“David’s game-planning ability and ability to connect with players in a variety of ways is a truly exciting addition to our coaching staff,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said in a release Monday. “He is a true expert on all types of hitting information and will help us with our offensive strategy every game.
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“We look forward to seeing his relentless work ethic make an immediate impact.”
Popkins previously spent two years as a hitting coach in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ minor league system. Before getting into coaching, he played three seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals system.
The 74-88 Blue Jays ranked 19th in the major leagues with a team batting average of 0.241 last season. Toronto ranked 20th in slugging percentage (.389) and 26th in home runs (156).
Martinez spent six seasons as a hitting coach in Toronto.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2024.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
