"Popkins joined the Jays last year after he was let go by the Minnesota Twins during the 2024/2025 offseason, a position he held for over three years. Before coaching with the Twins, he was a hitting coach within the Dodgers system for a couple of seasons and previously played minor league ball in the St. Louis Cardinals organization and some independent ball before retiring in 2017."
"Under his guise, the Blue Jays ranked: First: hits (1461), batting average (.265), OBP (.333) Second: strikeouts (1099) Third: doubles (294), RBIs (771), OPS (.760) Seventh: SLG (.427) Eighth: BABIP (.298) Numerous players also had spectacular seasons with Popkins in the driver's seat, namely George Springer, who led the team in bWAR (4.8) and bounced back with an impressive .309/.399/.560 slash line with a .959 OPS while leading the team with his 32 home runs."
David Popkins received Baseball America's 2025 MLB Coach of the Year Award for work with the Blue Jays' hitters. He joined Toronto after being let go by the Minnesota Twins following a more than three-year stint and had prior coaching roles in the Dodgers system and a playing background in the Cardinals' minor leagues and independent ball until 2017. Under his guidance the Blue Jays ranked first in hits (1461), batting average (.265) and OBP (.333), high in other categories, and multiple players posted breakout seasons — notably George Springer (.309/.399/.560, 32 HR). Popkins emphasizes increased bat speed, timely contact and passing the bat down the lineup.
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