The Kansas City Royals have added a seasoned bat to their coaching staff, announcing the hiring of Marcus Thames as a hitting coach for the 2026 season. Thames, a former Major League outfielder and experienced hitting instructor, joins the Royals as they aim to revitalize an offense that struggled in 2025, ranking 26th in MLB for runs scored.
Thames, 48, brings a wealth of coaching experience, having served as the hitting coach for the Chicago White Sox (2023), Los Angeles Angels (2022), and Miami Marlins (2021), as well as a four-year stint with the New York Yankees (2018-2021). During his time with the Angels, the team ranked third in the American League with 231 home runs, powered by stars like Shohei Ohtani. Thames’ expertise in developing power hitters and refining plate approaches could be a key asset for a Royals lineup that hit the fifth-fewest home runs in the majors last season.
A former player known for his own pop at the plate—115 career home runs across four teams—Thames made history in 2002 as a Yankees rookie by homering off Randy Johnson on the first pitch he saw in the big leagues. Now, he’ll work alongside senior director of hitting performance Alec Zumwalt and newly hired coach Connor Dawson to address Kansas City’s offensive woes, particularly in the outfield, where players like MJ Melendez and Drew Waters are seen as high-potential reclamation projects.
“We’re thrilled to bring Marcus’ experience and energy to Kansas City,” said Royals manager Matt Quatraro. “His track record speaks for itself, and we believe he can help unlock the potential in our lineup.”
The Royals, who parted ways with assistant hitting coaches Keoni DeRenne and Joe Dillon after the 2025 season, are banking on Thames’ fresh perspective to elevate their bats and build on the promise shown in their second-half surge last year.
