The Toronto Blue Jays shave apparently made an incredible hire with David Popkins
PUBLICATION
Bobby Ohr
October 22, 2024 (6:53 PM)
Photo credit: Sports illustrated
The Toronto Blue Jays announced yesterday that they hired David Popkins as their new hitting to replace Guillermo Martinez heading into the 2025 season.
OFFICIAL: We're excited to announce the hiring of David Popkins as our Hitting Coach. Welcome to the #BlueJays!
The Blue Jays decide to part ways with multiple coaches and staff members are the end of the 2024 season after the disappointing outcome they had mixed with the majority of players having an off year.
Must read on Blue Jays Insider
According to reports the Blue Jays did a great job by hiring David Popkins as their new hitting coach
When all of these different coaches were fired at the end of the season, Guillermo Martinez, the Blue Jays hitting coach, was also let go after the team had a terrible year at the plate.
Popkins played for a little bit in the St Louis Cardinals organization after signing as an undrafted free agent following his time at UC Davis. Popkins decided to give coaching a try after this starting off with the Dodgers but for the last 3 seasons he has been with the Twins.
The Blue Jays have some high expectations foor Popkins as they are hoping he will be able to reignite the Blue Jays offense are two years of very mediocre numbers.
Popkins' new job will be to reignite a Blue Jays offence that has underperformed over the last two seasons, finishing tied for 14th in runs scored per game in 2023 (4.6) and 23rd (4.14) this year. He, of course, replaces Guillermo Martinez - whose contract wasn't renewed after this past season - and will team up with assistant hitting coaches Matt Hague and Hunter Mense. -Hall
He is also known for keeping things light around the locker room which helps players a lot in times where they find themselves in a slump or losing streak.
«Baseball is a very mental game,» he said last April while speaking to The Minnesota Star Tribune's Bobby Nightengale. «There are technical aspects. There are things you have to work on, of course. But the mental side, especially in-season, is so important.
Fans are excited to see how this coaching changes helps the team on the field.
Previously on Blue Jays Insider
POLL |
22 OCTOBRE | 931 ANSWERS The Toronto Blue Jays shave apparently made an incredible hire with David Popkins Was hiring David Popkins a good move? |
Yes | 576 | 61.9 % |
No | 355 | 38.1 % |
List of polls |
|
58 minutes ago | By Ryan Hall Toronto Blue Jays announce interesting lineup for Spring Breakout game |
|
1 hour ago | By Ryan Hall Toronto Blue Jays disrespected once again by the MLB in latest announcement |
|
8 hours ago | By Bobby Ohr The Tampa Bay Rays won't be the only team playing out of a minor league stadium this season |
|
9 hours ago | By Bobby Ohr Toronto Blue Jays announce another pitcher is injured as he is head for IL |
|
10 hours ago | By Bobby Ohr Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr confirms he is now seeking a 20 year contract |
|
11 hours ago | By Bobby Ohr Ontario school board director resigns after using $40k of tax payer money to go watch the Toronto Blue Jays |
|
14 hours ago | By Bobby Ohr Toronto Blue Jays fans are ecstatic of the team's latest hire |
|
15 hours ago | By Bobby Ohr Former Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen has been exposing Toronto's front office |