The New York Mets have made a significant change to their coaching staff by appointing Jeff Albert as their new lead hitting instructor. This decision follows a disappointing season for the team and is part of a strategy to revitalize their offense.
Jeff Albert’s Background and Experience
Jeff Albert previously served as the Mets’ director of hitting in player development. His efforts contributed to the notable improvement of the team’s farm system in recent years. Albert is also recognized for his tenure as the hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Role and Responsibilities
Albert’s primary responsibility will be to enhance the hitting performance of the players. Last season, he spent considerable time with the major league team, particularly towards the end of the season when many minor league players had concluded their games.
There are plans for the Mets to appoint an additional hitting coach to work under Albert to further bolster the coaching staff. The team has already invited Rafael Fernandez back as a coaching assistant, who previously focused on hitting development.
Improving Offensive Consistency
Albert takes over from co-hitting coaches Jeremy Barnes and Eric Chavez. The Mets are aiming for improved offensive consistency in 2025. While the team’s lineup showed promise in both traditional and advanced metrics, they struggled with performance lulls throughout the season.
Focus on Young Talents
The Mets have key players like Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, and Brandon Nimmo under long-term contracts. However, new president of baseball operations David Stearns has expressed a desire to incorporate young talent into the roster. This includes players such as Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, Luisangel Acuña, and Ronny Mauricio, who have begun to see significant playing time.
Additionally, young catcher Francisco Alvarez will also be a focus for development under Albert. His goal will be to maximize the potential of both seasoned players and emerging talents.
Albert’s Impact on Player Development
Mets senior vice president for player development, Andy Green, has praised Albert’s skills, stating he is one of the brightest minds in the game regarding hitting. In his second full season with the Mets, Albert has successfully recruited new hitting coaches at various levels of the organization.
Success Stories
Notable success stories from Albert’s player development initiatives include A.J. Ewing and Jacob Reimer. Ewing improved his OPS from .688 in 2024 to .830 in 2025, while Reimer elevated his OPS from .640 to .870 in the same periods.
Coaching Staff Vacancies
Despite the addition of Albert, the Mets still face several vacancies within manager Carlos Mendoza’s coaching staff. Current roles that need to be filled include pitching coach, bench coach, third base coach, and catching coach.
