Royals Hire Hunter Mense As Hitting Coach
MLB Trade Rumors • • sports
Key Points:
- The Kansas City Royals have hired Hunter Mense as an assistant hitting coach, with Marcus Thames also joining as a hitting coach and Connor Dawson as offensive coordinator.
- Mense, 42, previously served as the Giants' hitting coach in 2026 and was promoted to the Blue Jays' major league staff as assistant hitting coach in 2022.
- In 2026, Thames and Dawson worked as hitting coaches alongside Alec Zumwalt, who will be reassigned to senior director of hitting performance.
- The Royals have struggled offensively in recent years, hitting .248/.316/.402 with a 98 wRC+ in 2026, and hope the new coaching additions will improve their offensive production.
- Mense is a Missouri native with playing experience in the Marlins' minor league system and coaching experience in Toronto and San Francisco.
