In a move that signals both a fresh start and a clear focus on improving their offensive woes, the Miami Marlins have officially hired Pedro Guerrero as their new hitting coach. The announcement was confirmed by The Athletic’s Katie Woo and Andrew Baggarly, following earlier reports from El Extrabase’s Daniel Alvarez-Montes, who revealed that the Marlins and Guerrero were close to a deal.
Guerrero, 44, arrives in Miami after a successful three-year stint as the assistant hitting coach for the San Francisco Giants. His time in the Bay Area was marked by a steady collaboration with former Giants manager Gabe Kapler, who is now serving as the Marlins’ assistant general manager. Guerrero’s ties to Kapler date back further, as he was also an assistant hitting coach with the Philadelphia Phillies from 2018 to 2021, during Kapler’s tenure as manager there.
A Much-Needed Change for the Marlins’ Offense
The Marlins’ offensive struggles have been well-documented, and it’s no surprise that they’re making a concerted effort to revamp their hitting approach. In 2023, Miami posted a dismal 62-100 record and finished near the bottom of nearly every significant offensive category. The team’s struggles were particularly glaring in runs scored, where they ranked 26th in MLB. Despite the lack of offensive firepower, the Marlins surprisingly clinched a playoff berth, largely on the strength of their pitching and an ability to eke out wins in close games—Miami had an exceptional 33-14 record in one-run contests.
While former hitting coach John Mabry and assistant hitting coaches Bill Mueller and Jason Hart cannot shoulder all the blame for Miami’s offensive struggles, the fact remains that the team’s rebuilding process left them with a less-than-competitive roster, especially as the season wore on.
In that context, Guerrero’s appointment is part of a broader effort to boost a lineup that will be crucial to Miami’s hopes of sustained success. With the Marlins bringing in Clayton McCullough as their new manager—following a complete overhaul of the coaching staff and training personnel—it’s clear the front office is aiming to reshape the franchise’s identity from the ground up.
A Familiar Face for Kapler
The hiring of Guerrero is also a significant tie to Kapler’s past. The two first worked together in Philadelphia, where Kapler served as manager from 2018-2019, and continued their collaboration in San Francisco, where Kapler managed the Giants from 2020-2023. Guerrero’s hitting philosophy, honed over his years working alongside Kapler, will undoubtedly align with the Marlins’ new approach under McCullough’s leadership.
Guerrero’s resume is solid, but it’s his experience within the Kapler system that might hold the key to Miami’s future success. While working with the Giants, Guerrero helped lead an offense that was both disciplined and adaptable, traits that Miami will need to foster if they hope to climb out of the offensive doldrums they’ve endured for years.
The Giants’ Loss is Miami’s Gain
While the Marlins are bolstering their coaching staff, the San Francisco Giants are facing some uncertainty in the wake of Guerrero’s departure. With Justin Viele—another key member of the Giants’ hitting staff—heading to the Texas Rangers to take over as their new hitting coach, San Francisco is now in the position of replacing two-thirds of their hitting instructor trio.
According to The Athletic, the Giants will not look to replace both of Guerrero and Viele. Instead, they plan to hire one new hitting coach who will work alongside Pat Burrell, the lone holdover from the previous coaching staff. Burrell, the former big-league slugger who has been with the Giants since 2019, will likely continue to play a central role in shaping the team’s offensive direction.
A New Era for the Marlins
Guerrero’s hiring is just the latest piece of Miami’s sweeping internal overhaul. With McCullough now in place as manager, the Marlins are embarking on what is expected to be a transformative offseason. This includes not just new voices in the dugout but across the entire organization, from the training staff to clubhouse attendants. The front office has made it clear that it is committed to creating a competitive, well-rounded team that can compete in the NL East.
For Marlins fans, the hope is that Guerrero’s arrival will spark a revival of an offense that has long been a weak spot for the team. While the Marlins have some exciting young talent—such as Jazz Chisholm Jr., Luis Arraez, and Jorge Soler—there’s little question that they’ll need to make significant strides in hitting if they want to be a true playoff contender in the coming years.
Final Thoughts
Pedro Guerrero’s hiring is more than just a personnel change; it’s a signal of the Marlins’ commitment to improving their offensive output and rebranding themselves as a more balanced team. Whether he can unlock the potential in Miami’s lineup remains to be seen, but for a franchise that has been stuck in neutral offensively, Guerrero represents a much-needed change in direction.
As the Marlins continue their rebuild under McCullough, fans will be hoping that this new hitting philosophy leads to more consistent production at the plate, and eventually, a return to contention in the National League.
