On Monday, the Toronto Blue Jays announced that David Popkins has been appointed as the team’s hitting coach, working under manager John Schneider.
“David’s ability to game plan and connect with players in different ways is a really exciting addition to our coaching staff,” said Schneider. “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.”
David Popkins, 34, is set to join the Blue Jays for his fourth season on a Major League coaching staff, where he will manage Toronto’s offense. A native of San Diego, he previously spent three seasons as a hitting coach for the Minnesota Twins, helping them finish 2023 tied for the American League lead in home runs with 233, the second-highest total in franchise history.
Under his guidance, the Twins ranked among the top five in the American League for extra base hits, home runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, average exit velocity, and hard-hit rate. Before his time with the Twins, he spent two years as a hitting coach in the Los Angeles Dodgers minor league system. Popkins also played three seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals minor league system prior to becoming a coach.
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