Minor League Hitting Coach

Houston Astros•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Houston Astros is seeking a Minor League Hitting Coach to implement the Astros hitting development program at a minor league affiliate location or at the club’s complex in West Palm Beach, Florida. The role is supervised by the Hitting Coordinator and is classified as full-time and exempt. The coach plans and coordinates daily hitting practice, designs practice environments to support each hitter’s development, analyzes performance using tools and technology, and prescribes and monitors individual development plans. The role works with players, field staff, Player Care and Performance, and other departments to align goals and communicate progress. The coach may also assist with day-to-day operations at the complex, including throwing batting practice and hitting fungoes. The position operates both outdoors on a baseball field and in an office setting. The employee must be able to work in all types of outdoor weather; noise is usually moderate but may be loud in a stadium. The role requires a flexible schedule that may include extended hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays. The coach will be stationed at a minor league affiliate or the Spring Training complex and will travel overnight during the season.

Requirements

Prior coaching experience.
Ability to understand and advocate for changes based on new information and tools in baseball.
Interest in strength and conditioning and analytics.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Strong organizational skills.
Strong computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including extended hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Ability to work in all types of outdoor weather conditions.
Ability to travel overnight throughout the season.
Regular ability to see, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate equipment and/or office technology; frequent standing and walking; occasional lifting and moving of items weighing up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Professional or collegiate playing experience.
Fluency in Spanish.
A degree related to strength and conditioning.

Responsibilities

Implement the organizational hitting development program.
Plan daily hitting practice in coordination with other field staff.
Design practice environments that elicit desired performance for each hitter.
Analyze hitter performance deficiencies using tools, reports, and technologies.
Prescribe and monitor a development plan for each hitter based on areas of opportunity.
Collaborate with Player Care and Performance disciplines to identify and address solutions related to physical limitations and opportunities.
Communicate plans, goals, and progress with players and relevant staff throughout checkpoints.
Collaborate with other departments, including R&D and Pro Scouting, to align player goals and keep relevant staff informed about player progress.
Assist other field staff with day-to-day complex operations when able and necessary, including throwing batting practice and hitting fungoes.
Perform other duties as assigned.