TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays have hired David Popkins because the team’s latest hitting coach.
He succeeds Guillermo Martinez within the position. Martinez was let go within the wake of Toronto’s last-place finish within the American League East this past season.
Popkins, a 34-year-old native of San Diego, Calif., spent the last three years as a hitting coach with the Minnesota Twins.
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“David’s ability to game plan and connect with players in other ways is a extremely exciting addition to our coaching staff,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday in a release. “He’s a real expert in all kinds of hitting information and can help our offensive strategy for every game.
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“We’re looking forward to the fast impact of his relentless work ethic.”
Popkins previously spent two years as a hitting coach within the Los Angeles Dodgers’ minor-league system. Before moving into coaching, he played three seasons within the St. Louis Cardinals’ system.
The 74-88 Blue Jays were nineteenth in the key leagues with a team batting average of .241 this past season. Toronto was also twentieth in slugging percentage (.389) and twenty sixth in home runs (156).
Martinez spent six seasons within the hitting coach role with Toronto.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2024.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
