Twins fire four coaches after late-season hitting slump

Field Level Media|published: Wed 2nd October, 14:32 2024

MLB: Seattle Mariners at Minnesota Twins

Apr 10, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins batting coaches Rudy Hernandez and Edgar Varela present the 2020 Silver Slugger Award to designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) before the game with the Seattle Mariners at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins parted ways with hitting coaches Rudy Hernandez and David Popkins, assistant hitting coach Derek Shomon and assistant bench/infield coach Tony Diaz on Wednesday.

The moves come on the heels of the Twins struggling to find their offense over the final six weeks of the season. As a result, Minnesota (82-80) lost 27 of its last 39 games and failed to secure a playoff berth.

Hernandez, 56, has held various roles with the Twins since joining the organization in 1996. He served as the team's assistant hitting coach from 2015-19 before serving as one of the primary hitting coaches from 2020-24.

Popkins, 34, has spent the past three seasons as one of the club's hitting coaches while Shomon, 34, has worked the last two campaigns as the team's assistant hitting coach.

Diaz, 47, has spent the last three seasons as the assistant bench/infield coach.

--Field Level Media

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