The Minnesota Twins have hired former St. Louis Cardinals slugger José Martínez as a minor league hitting coach, he announced on X. Martínez played in the majors from 2016-20 and finished his playing career in 2025 after spending time in the Mexican League and the Venezuelan Winter League.
Hoy me llena de orgullo compartir con ustedes que comienzo una nueva etapa como coach de bateo en la organización de los Mellizos de Minnesota.
— Cafe jr (@Cafejr40) November 6, 2026
Le doy gracias a Dios y a todos los que me guían desde arriba. Les pido que me sigan dando salud y fortaleza para seguir superándome,… pic.twitter.com/oZJlIy1nGO
Martínez, 38, is best known for his time with the Cardinals. He made his MLB debut with St. Louis in 2016 and played for the organization through 2019. During his time with St. Louis, Martínez slashed a strong .298/.363/.458 with 41 home runs, 57 doubles and 172 RBI. Martínez wasn't a great defensive outfielder, which is likely why he lasted only five seasons in the big leagues.
Martínez dominated opposing pitching during the 2019 playoffs, going 7-for-13 with two doubles, three RBI and a run scored. The Cardinals reached the 2019 National League Championship Series but were swept 4-0 by the Washington Nationals.
After the 2019 season, the Cardinals traded Martínez, outfielder Randy Arozarena and future considerations to the Tampa Bay Rays for left-hander Matthew Liberatore, catcher Edgardo Rodriguez and future considerations. Martínez appeared in only 24 games with the Rays in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season before being traded to the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 30, 2020. Over 34 games between Chicago and Tampa Bay in 2020, Martínez hit a poor .182/.265/.295 in 76 plate appearances.
Martínez spent the 2021 season in the New York Mets' minor league system before finishing his career in the Mexican League and the winter league in his native Venezuela.
José Martínez's new role with Twins is his first professional coaching job
Martínez has never coached professionally. He wasn't a great defender, but he certainly knows a thing or two about hitting. In his final year of professional ball, Martínez slashed .327/.409/.440 over 42 games in the Venezuelan Winter League.
It's unclear whether Martínez will serve as a hitting coach for a single minor league team in the Twins' system or help at all levels. Regardless, it seems like a smart move for the Twins to bring the Cardinals fan favorite aboard, given his career numbers at the plate.
Martínez is the second notable coach the Twins hired this offseason. At the conclusion of the season, Minnesota fired long-time pitching coach Pete Maki and then replaced him with long-time Tampa Bay Rays Triple-A pitching coach Brian Reith. Derek Shelton's staff is expected to stay the same aside from the pitching coach change, but the Twins could make more minor league hires.
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