Yankees Target Tigers’ Coach as Next Hitting Coach
The Tigers’ offense was ABYSMAL in 2022, scoring just 557 runs (3.44 runs per game) – by far the lowest mark in MLB that season.
Detroit addressed that issue last season, hiring hitting coach Michael Brdar from the San Diego Padres and assistant hitting coach James Rowson from the Miami Marlins.
Their impact was immediate as they helped the Tigers score an additional 104 runs this season.
Now it looks like Rowson might be on the way out, per reports from Newsday and the New York Post.
Tigers News: Yankees Target James Rowson as Next Hitting Coach
https://t.co/n4qft1ZbOA Yankees have offered hitting coach job to James Rowson.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) November 7, 2023
This move makes plenty of sense for New York, as Rowson, 47, not only played in the Yankees’ system, but also got his start in coaching there – serving as the franchise’s minor league hitting coordinator for six seasons.
And it’s not only the fact that Brdar and Rowson helped the Tigers add over 100 runs of offense, but also the improvement of multiple young players.
First-round picks like Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson took huge leaps forward this past season after they both got out to uncertain starts to their careers.
Spencer Torkelson, whose 31 HR led AL first basemen, is one of four AL Silver Slugger finalists at the position. Miguel Cabrera is Tigers’ last Silver Slugger in 2016. https://t.co/MP51snW2FZ
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) November 2, 2023
That might be just what the Yankees need.
New York had one of its worst seasons in recent memory this year, and it will likely take significant improvement from its younger players to return to contention.
Players like Anthony Volpe, Oswald Peraza, Everson Pereira, Estevan Florial, Austin Wells and Jasson Dominguez offer plenty of offensive potential waiting to be unlocked.
But how does this impact Detroit? It’s hard to say right now.
The good news is that Brdar hasn’t been poached by anyone, and the foundation laid down this year should give fans plenty of reason to be optimistic.
And think of the bigger picture: when’s the last time a historically successful team came after a Tigers coach? This could be a sign that Detroit is turning the corner on its seemingly never-ending rebuild.
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