Marlins Name Dillon Lawson Hitting Coach
Lawson, who has coached with three big-league clubs, brings a hitting philosophy built around the strategy 'hit strikes hard.'
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Baseball
The Miami Marlins have named Dillon Lawson their hitting coach. Lawson joined the organization in July as a roving hitting coach and reunites with director of hitting Joe Migliaccio and assistant hitting coach Chris Hess.
Why it matters
The Marlins' offense ranked among the league's leaders in triples and stolen bases in 2026 but was only 23rd in home runs, so the hitting staff change addresses a clear area of need. Lawson's approach will depend heavily on the personnel the club assembles around him.
The Marlins ranked third in the Majors with 37 triples and fourth with 163 stolen bases in 2026, while their 168 home runs ranked 23rd. Nine Marlins hit double-digit home runs, tying a franchise record, but the club's power output still lagged the league.
The players
Dillon Lawson
Lawson is a hitting coach who has worked in the Astros, Yankees and Red Sox organizations and whose hitting philosophy centers on the strategy 'hit strikes hard.'
Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a Major League Baseball franchise based in Miami that compete in the National League East.
The details
Lawson was a Minor League hitting coach in the Astros organization from 2016 to 2018, then coached with the Yankees from 2019 to 2023 and the Red Sox from 2025 to 2026. This offseason he has observed position players in person and on video and has met with Florida-based players Otto Lopez, Joe Mack and Owen Caissie.
Timeline
2016-2018: Lawson serves as a Minor League hitting coach in the Astros organization.
2019-2023: Lawson coaches with the New York Yankees.
2025-2026: Lawson coaches with the Boston Red Sox.
July 2026: Lawson joins the Marlins as a roving hitting coach.
Season Trajectory
The Marlins' 2026 offense produced third-most triples and fourth-most stolen bases in the Majors while ranking 23rd in home runs. Lawson's hire signals an effort to rebalance that profile heading into the next season.
Fantasy managers tracking Marlins hitters should watch whether Lawson's emphasis on hitting strikes hard changes power production. The team's stolen base and triples output may stay high if the personnel supports the same running-oriented approach.
The takeaway
A coaching change alone rarely transforms an offense, so the Marlins' results will depend on the hitters the front office adds around Lawson. Readers tracking the club should watch the offseason roster moves that follow this hire.
Further reading
For more on the team's roster and season, see Baseball coverage on Wisevoter.
