David Joseph Popkins (born November 16, 1989) is an American professional baseball hitting coach for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB).
| David Popkins | |
|---|---|
| Toronto Blue Jays | |
| Hitting Coach | |
| Born: November 16, 1989 San Diego, California, U.S. | |
Bats: Switch Throws: Right | |
| Teams | |
|
Playing career
editPopkins graduated from St. Augustine High School in San Diego, California where he was named first team Eastern League in 2007 and 2008. He was also the Eastern league player of the year in 2008. Popkins graduated from the University of California, Davis, where he played college baseball for the UC Davis Aggies. He was named All Big West First Team for two years. After going undrafted out of college, Popkins signed with the St. Louis Cardinals, and made the post season all star team in High–A in the Florida State league for the Palm Beach Cardinals in 2013. He reached Double–A in 2014.[1] He played in independent league baseball with the Washington Wild Things, hitting 35 home runs over two seasons. He retired as an active player in 2017.[2]
On March 16, 2019, Popkins signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, he did not appear in any games for the organization and elected free agency following the season on November 4.[3]
Coaching career
editIn 2019, the Dodgers named Popkins as a hitting coach for the Arizona Dodgers of the Arizona League.[4] In 2021, he coached for the Great Lakes Loons.[5]
On November 8, 2021, the Minnesota Twins hired Popkins to be their hitting coach.[2][6] On October 1, 2024, Popkins and the Twins parted ways.[7]
On October 21, 2024, the Toronto Blue Jays hired Popkins to be their hitting coach.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Popkins, Cardinals motivated by Springfield fans". News-leader.com. August 31, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
- ^ a b "New Twins hitting coach comes from Dodgers' Class A affiliate". StarTribune.com. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
- ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2019". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
- ^ "Dodgers' Minor League coaching staffs in 2020". Mlb.com. January 30, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
- ^ "Los Angeles Dodgers name former Great Lakes catcher Austin Chubb as new Loons manager". mlive. February 8, 2021.
- ^ "Twins add Tingler, Popkins to staff". MLB.com.
- ^ "Report: Twins moving on from David Popkins as hitting coach". si.com. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
- ^ https://www.tsn.ca/toronto-blue-jays-hire-david-popkins-as-hitting-coach-1.2192901
External links
edit- Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)
.jpg){kind=small}   | This biographical article relating to an American baseball manager or coach is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
| | This biographical article relating to an American baseball outfielder born in the 1980s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |