The Twins have knowledgeable hitting coach David Popkins that he received’t again subsequent season, per a report from Dan Hayes of The Athletic. His contract simply ended with the conclusion of the 2024 season and won’t be renewed.
Popkins has been the membership’s hitting coach for the previous three years, getting employed previous to the 2022 marketing campaign. The primary of these seasons noticed the membership end 78-84, although that wasn’t actually on the offense. The membership hit a collective .248/.317/.401 for a wRC+ of 106, tenth finest within the majors. The 2023 was extra profitable, because the membership went 87-75 and received the American League Central. Their hitters collectively slashed .243/.326/.428 for a 108 wRC+, tied for sixth within the majors.
For a very long time, it appeared like 2024 was going to be one other profitable marketing campaign for the Twins. They have been in playoff place for many of the season however collapsed on the finish, going 9-18 within the month of September and lacking out on the postseason.
The workforce was nonetheless robust on the plate total this yr, with a line of .246/.315/.411 and a 107 wRC+ that was ninth within the league. That features a dismal .218/.285/.338 line and 78 wRC+ in September because the membership’s season slipped away from them.
It’s at all times robust to separate the affect of a coach from the performances of the gamers. Over the course of the three years the place Popkins has been the hitting coach, many of the outcomes have been good, although the newest stretch of play clearly leaves a foul style. Whether or not one needs responsible Popkins or not can be a matter of debate. Key gamers like Carlos Correa, Royce Lewis, Byron Buxton, Max Kepler and others missed important time with accidents this yr and have been both off the sector or maybe not taking part in at 100% well being in the course of the September swoon. Regardless, it appears the membership has determined to go in a distinct path for 2025.
